What Did I Buy? Block Meerschaum. Pressed, or Clay?

[JPremo]

Hello Meerschaum Veterans, I've got an ID request for you but I'm thinking I should just smoke it and get on with it!

I got this as part of an estate sale and I'm just curious what you guys think of it? I'm also wondering whats the best way to get the grime off of it and remove that 811 from the inside. I was thinking 600 sandpaper for the inside of the bowl and a fresh coating of wax for the outside?

It absorbs moisture on it albeit slowly, and seems like it's weathering as a Meer should, but I haven't owned one before and this looks nothing like most of the ones I've seen.

Excuse the ghetto spacer, the stem was out of alignment.

Album for Big HD Images

 

[cshubhra]

1. It’s a Meerschaum
2. There is no way to tell from pictures whether it’s block or pressed. However I would argue it’s a block
3. One test for block meerschaum- put a most finger (or touch your tongue) inside the bowl. It will stick. However sometimes it sticks for very high quality pressed Meerschaum as well

EDIT - You should really do it with your tongue. Finger is an alternative since I figured you may not want to lick the inside of an estate pipe

 

[BROBS]

Looks like block to me. As @cshubhra has said a wet finger should stick to the inside of the chamber of a block.

 

[condorlover1]

Did it come with a case?

 

[JPremo]

1. It’s a Meerschaum
2. There is no way to tell from pictures whether it’s block or pressed. However I would argue it’s a block
3. One test for block meerschaum- put a most finger (or touch your tongue) inside the bowl. It will stick. However sometimes it sticks for very high quality pressed Meerschaum as well

It IS sticky! Weird!

Great tips for figuring that out quickly, thank you!

@condorlover1 No case, it just came in a bit of bubble wrap.

Anyone have tips on scraping off that 811 marking? Or should I hit it with some sandpaper?

I'd like to get it off of there but if it's not possible without messing up whatever finish has developed on the inside I can live with it.

 

[Country Bladesmith]

It IS sticky! Weird!

Great tips for figuring that out quickly, thank you!

@condorlover1 No case, it just came in a bit of bubble wrap.

Anyone have tips on scraping off that 811 marking? Or should I hit it with some sandpaper?

I'd like to get it off of there but if it's not possible without messing up whatever finish has developed on the inside I can live with it.

Is the number written in pencil? If so, just leave it alone. That little bit of graphite will be covered up by more carbon in short order.

 

[BROBS]

It IS sticky! Weird!

Great tips for figuring that out quickly, thank you!

@condorlover1 No case, it just came in a bit of bubble wrap.

Anyone have tips on scraping off that 811 marking? Or should I hit it with some sandpaper?

I'd like to get it off of there but if it's not possible without messing up whatever finish has developed on the inside I can live with it.

Just leave it. These markings are normal on brand new block meers. ?

 

[JPremo]

Just leave it. These markings are normal on brand new block meers. ?

@Country Bladesmith it is indeed, sounds like I've nothing to worry about then.

I'll defer to the experts knowledge on the subject, thanks guys! This forum really is an invaluable resource for a new piper.

Now to get her a fresh coat of Beewax and a clean rag to start smoking with tonight, can't wait to try my first Meerschaum smoke!

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

Nice pipe!

 

[weezell]

Now to get her a fresh coat of Beewax and a clean rag to start smoking with tonight, can't wait to try my first Meerschaum smoke!

Why a fresh coat? Just smoke it Brother...

 

[Chasing Embers]

Now to get her a fresh coat of Beewax

Completely unnecessary.

Why a fresh coat? Just smoke it Brother...

My thinking too.

 

[JPremo]

Completely unnecessary.



My thinking too.

Done annnd Done! Saves me a step

 

[mortonbriar]

This time next year you will be glad you bothered to take a photo of it all white! enjoy!

 

[mikethompson]

It reminds me of a Bauer or Straumbach meer actually.

 

[anotherbob]

I think it's meer but not sure why you didn't ask if it could have been bone.

 

[jhowell]

Another test is to scrape with a piece of silver. Silver will leave a mark on clay or pressed meerschaum but not on block. I wear a silver ring that I use for testing meerschaum.

 

[mso489]

With Meerschaum, clarity and definition of flavor is yours. Enjoy.

 

[jonasclark]

I, too, think it's block. Probably Turkish from the 1960s. Plastic stem. I say just leave the number where it is and smoke it!