I have only owned briar pipes and have received tons of enjoyment thus far. I just order my first Meerschaum coming in from Turkey. Would some please share their Meerschaum experiences and advise?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Turkish Meerschaum
- Thread starter MRW
- Start date
I have several meerschaum's and I enjoy them. The interesting thing is they do not impart any hint of flavor or moisture to the smoke. In other words what your tasting is just the tobacco. Briar pipes do impart a flavor, regardless of how small of an element that may be given the pipe, but don't be fooled... it's there. And smoking the same blend from your meerschaum just verifies this fact. It may seem like a dryer smoke do to the fact you're not getting any moisture from the briar, but you will be able to appreciate the complexities of the blend better IMO. I would suggest you ensure your pipe is made from real meerschaum block, and not pressed meerschaum. I would also recommend you wash and dry your hands thoroughly before handling and smoking from it, as it can pick up dirt and oils from your skin. Send us a pic when you get it and let us know how you're enjoying it. Congrats and good luck!
I'd never buy one.
1) They easily ghost.
2) They mute flavors until saturated with tobacco oils from repeated use.
3) Once saturated with tobacco oils they smoke much like a briar.
4) They can be made to gurgle.
5) They are much lighter in the pocket than a briar.
1) They easily ghost.
2) They mute flavors until saturated with tobacco oils from repeated use.
3) Once saturated with tobacco oils they smoke much like a briar.
4) They can be made to gurgle.
5) They are much lighter in the pocket than a briar.
I think there are ample topics in where the Order of Meerschaumlovers have been motivating why to buy one, there is a special meerschaum section on the forum. I really like mine.
Other than discouraging any carbon buildup, enjoy them as you would any other pipe.?
My African meers and my Falcons with Turkish meer bowls are my most used pipes. They're great workhorses.
I recently got my first meerschaum and can’t recommend them enough. As long as you get one from a reputable carver and get one with a push/pull tenon (as opposed to screw in) I don’t see how you can go wrong. Altinay makes classic shapes like this one if that’s what you’re into as opposed to the ornate carvings which can come off as a bit novel IMHO. 
I just never developed a liking for them.
I am gradually transitioning to mostly Meers & ?s. I love to smoke them silly just to see how they turn. I find them beautiful as they color honey brown and then eventually black depending on your effort. Once broken in, they smoke about as well as anything else. My plan is to acquire a new Meer once every New Year. Here’s a shot of my collection & my latest pick up was this AKB “horn” with scales…
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I only smoke Meerschaums. Its fun to see how they color, especially over five, ten, twenty, thirty years. Every meerschaum pipe is unique, with individual smoking and coloring qualities. Do an internet search for “Fred Bass Meerschaum” for some very interesting writing on the subject.
Those were and have been auctioning off on ebay for the past few years.
I'm discussing an IMP banana with Burak right now......not even kidding.?
Damn, no grass under your feet. ?
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That's an awfully ornately carved billiard you've got there.???
Thanks again to you and others who commented on my earlier post about where to find a traditionally shaped meerschaum. I had no idea Altinay existed until I was directed there from those comments. This pipe has been everything I hoped it would be. I was originally going to dedicate it to Virginias but I can’t stop smoking Sir Walter out of it all day.
Hahaha touché. It was between this or one of their rusticated billiards which sort of emulates the rustication of a briar pipe. I figured for my first meerschaum that I would go for the more traditional lattice finish. I’m definitely one of the boring straight billiard pipe lovers.
Thanks again to you and others who commented on my earlier post about where to find a traditionally shaped meerschaum. I had no idea Altinay existed until I was directed there from those comments. This pipe has been everything I hoped it would be. I was originally going to dedicate it to Virginias but I can’t stop smoking Sir Walter out of it all day.
Fikri Baki is my favorite meerschaum pipe maker. Check out him and his own pipe... you gotta love that pipe!
Yep, got a soft spot for the lattice carvings myself.?That's an awfully ornately carved billiard you've got there.???
Hahaha touché. It was between this or one of their rusticated billiards which sort of emulates the rustication of a briar pipe. I figured for my first meerschaum that I would go for the more traditional lattice finish. I’m definitely one of the boring straight billiard pipe lovers.
It's been said that it took half a year to do that. After what I did to one of my IMP dublins, I believe it.
As stated above there is a thread dedicated to meerschaum pipes. Just go through a reputable dealer. I bought my first one a couple of months ago and I love it! It’s a Altinay.
