Tamper for Meerschaum

[MRW]

I have my first of three Meerschaum pipes coming from Turkey this week and was curious about tamper use. Paid a pretty penny for these and do not want to damage the inner bowl using my metal tamper as used with my Briar pipes. I welcome your experienced thoughts, wisdom and advice regarding this topic.

 

[TheIronMonkey]

If you're careful with a metal tamper, it shouldn't be an issue—but, an easy solution would be to use a wooden golf tee. Nice pipes, by the way. Enjoy!

 

[timt]

Beautiful pipes! I use a metal tamper on my meers. Just go easy.

 

[lukasstrifeson]

Yeah, you'll wanna be careful. If you do use a harder tamper, what'll happen is you'll "flare" out the bowl's interior rim, they're usually cut pretty sharp where bowl meets rim.

Honestly, a wooden golf tee works best. Or you can buy a fancy briar tamp too, lucky for me Nate included one when I got my pipe from him.

Here's a new vs year-old comparison: (RE: rim)

I've been much more dilligent about using the briar tamp since I've noticed the rim "softening"/"flaring out" - I understand it's a little harder to see with the blackened bowl in the second picture but I hope at least the first pic demonstrates how 'sharp' the edge can be when new.

 

[lukasstrifeson]

Found a pic of my Nate King briar tamp too, don't come up much in discussions, so here's to an opportunity to show it off LOL:

 

[warren]

Depending on the bowl size, my preferred tool to tamp with is one of my fingers. Never without at least one.

 

[jpmcwjr]

As long as you're pressing only on the tobacco, no problem with any material.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I just use my finger or a metal tamper.

 

[kcghost]

You can either go with a wood tamper, or your finger, or you can be careful.

 

[DanWil84]

Metal tamper, just go easy.

 

[anotherbob]

never even thought about this and well it's never been an issue.

 

[DanWil84]

Altinay makes tampers with shell casings, cant imagine they are not for their own pipes.

 

[Duck]

As I tamp the ashes/tobacco and not the pipe it hasn't been a problem. It's not as if other than minimal force is used to tamp. Since briar is harder than meerschaum a briar tamper is not the answer.

 

[MRW]

If you're careful with a metal tamper, it shouldn't be an issue—but, an easy solution would be to use a wooden golf tee. Nice pipes, by the way. Enjoy!

I am going to play it safe. I found and ordered this on Etsy.

 

[TheIronMonkey]

That's a fun choice. Let us know how it works out.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Just wait until it's reaming time.?

 

[Simmerdown☕️]

I have a bunch of tampers & I’ve never had a problem with my Meers. However, most of the time I just use my index . ️

 

[Chasing Embers]

Since meerschaum is often called the white goddess, I bought this one a few years ago exclusively for meerschaum use. No damage to my pipes.

 

[didimauw]

Since meerschaum is often called the white goddess, I bought this one a few years ago exclusively for meerschaum use. No damage to my pipes.

View attachment 125938

I've recently been thinking about getting a tamper that's made out of meerschaum. But it seems most have some sort of silver(ish) cap on the foot end. Not pure meerschaum. That would be neat.

 

[didimauw]

Oh but to reply to the OP. I use wood and metal tampers, and my finger. No issues so far!