What Is Meerschaum ?? And Do You Have One?

[meerqueen]

@ Andrew,
how do you know that your pipes are pressed one?
Regards,

B.B

 

[jerry]

I have many meers, and in my life I've had over 100. There are huge variations in the smoking qualities of Meerschaums - and it's easy to get a loser, even if the brand is reputable. The five I have carved by F. Baki are outstanding in every way.

 

[foggymountain]

Thanks, Meerqueen.

 

[alexl]

I have 3 Peterson Meers that smoke OK. It costs high dollar (pound) but worth it. In my humble opinion, all Turkish-made pipes are rubbish.
Still, even these pipes do not get enough love from me. Quality briar pipe is much better.

 

[jah76]

I have 3 worth mentioning.
A CAO with a bad stem/tenon and two Peterson's. The CAO smokes good, I just don't find the pipe that interesting. One of the Petersons smokes fantastic (Turkish). I can't believe how smoothly tobacco burns in it. It tastes great. The other has a tight airway (African) that I'd need drill out and get a new stem and tenon made. Presently I'm not in a huge hurry to get it fixed when I have so many other pipes.
Still I think I nice bright green stem would look great with the black.
Maybe one day I'll buy myself a really nice new one but they aren't that high on my new pipe wish list. I would actually be more interested in getting a custom carved one made for myself.

 

[numbersix]

Cigrmaster wrote:

I also never found them to smoke cooler than a quality briar pipe that was broken in and had a good cake.

Actually, I have to agree with that Harris. I have a Peterson Meer, a Kilimanjaro meer (and I forgot, a third, a Sommer from about 1910). All are fine quality and all smoke as hot as my briars. They are flavor-neutral though, which appeals to some.
All in all, even though I prefer briars - I think a meer is a must have in one's collection. They are also good if you don't have enough pipes in your rotation since they typically don't need as much rest.

 

[roadqueen]

I don't own a Meer yet, but I hope to someday. Thank you for the interesting discussion, gents.

 

[peckinpahhombre]

Harris,
Could it be that you just have the wrong Meers. My Baki Meer has a very comfortable stem and easily passes a cleaner.

 

[voorhees]

That's a nice meer bamboo combo! Where did you get it?

 

[peckinpahhombre]

http://bestmeerschaums.homestead.com/bakipipes.html

 

[philip]

I like mine and it smokes well though I rarely smoke it.

I bought it just for the sake of having it.

 

[numbersix]

That's a nice meer bamboo combo!

+1
That's a beauty Peck.

 

[theboz]

I don't have one, mostly because I haven't found the right one. There was an African Meer for sale on briarbid that I wanted but just didn't have the funds for. Eventually another one I like will crop up.

 

[wyfbane]

I have several, but only have smoked one so far. It's a claw and smokes very well, but then I'm still a noob.



The long one is quite lovely and 40 years old or so, but has virtually no draw, so it more decorative.

 

[cigrmaster]

peck, that is a beauty. The only way I would buy another meer is if I can see it before buying and test the stem. Maybe if I see one at a pipe show one day I will think about it, but from what I know, I have never heard of a meer with vulcanite stems, so that would be a problem.

 

[kashmir]

It's funny but I've never bought a meer. Just never caught my interest. I'm a briar man through and through. And while I can appreciate the tastes of others, I just never caught the bug on meers.

 

[easterntraveler]

I have 2 and both damage. Unfortunately I never took the time to learn how to care for them. Luckily they were inexpensive. I will save for a new one after I stock up on baccy. This time I know what I am doing.

 

[meerqueen]

Hi,
As i said in the same village you could mine "grade 3 block meerschaum" near the surface and "grade five block meerschaum" in the depth.Please ask for certificate of authenticity for any product.
this is my latest favorite pipe

Regards,

B.B

 

[peckinpahhombre]

A lot of the Baki meers have cumberland stems

 

[peckinpahhombre]

I e-mailed Deniz ural to ask him what the stem on my Baki is made from. He said it is "ebonite/vulcanite". He then went on and said:
"The cost on these stems are app $10 higher than the acrylic. I order them from Germany to be shipped to

Turkey. Customs + taxes ..... It is quite a cumbersome task. All because Europe as well as the US buyers

are very keen to have their pipes with a cumberland mouth piece.
On the other hand I have received 3 comments/questions more so concerns about the ebonite and

inquiries about " oxidization". I have been selling the same mouth pieces over the past years and we

have mounted them on hundreds of our meerschaums. I have not had a single complaint that they

oxidize.
Being in this trade for 44 years I have seen many vulcanite bits on briars oxidized. I am not an expert

on the materials but the stems we use have not oxidized.
Hope this answers your question.
Thank you.

--

DENIZ URAL"