What Is This Meerschaum Really Made Out Of?

[rajangan]

This is a Tanzanian pipe. I took some 1500 grit sandpaper to the top of the bowl because it was a dingy grey that wouldn't wipe off, but then I noticed that there was a brown colour peaking through in one area. Also, around the rim of the bowl it looks like the white is just a layer. So, I used a knife on the underside and the entire material is apparently brown.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I have no answers. Honestly, I saw the title of the thread and thought that surely I could make a good joke on a thread with a title like that, but... all I got are knock knocks. Ha ha.
It's a pretty pipe though.

 

[BarrelProof]

@Said.ALTINAY

 

[rajangan]

It is a Kiko brand pipe. Edit. No. It's a Countryman.

Kiko - Pipedia

pipedia.org

 

[BROBS]

Clay painted with meer slip

 

[rajangan]

Clay painted with meer slip

They seem to advertise that it's block meerschaum. Is it possible that it's just crappy brown meerschaum that's been painted?

 

[BROBS]

They seem to advertise that it's block meerschaum. Is it possible that it's just crappy brown meerschaum that's been painted?

I suppose? ?‍ I do believe most African meer is sort of ugly colors.

 

[lukasstrifeson]

That does not look like any kind of meerschaum I've ever seen.

I've broken a few meerschaums in my time so I've had a close look at cross sections and have never come across something like that before.

 

[mikethompson]

Looks painted to me.

FWIW this was advertised as solid wood, and well,

Chronicling an AliExpress Pipe and Purchase for Science :: General Pipe Smoking Discussion

In the interest of scientific research and development, I have taken one for the forum. I've spent hard earned money on a pipe from AliExpress, the chinese version of ebay, just to see how bad or good the pipe is. My initial impression from the site was that it is not suited to mobile use, but...

pipesmagazine.com

 

[rajangan]

Looks painted to me.

FWIW this was advertised as solid wood, and well,

Chronicling an AliExpress Pipe and Purchase for Science :: General Pipe Smoking Discussion

In the interest of scientific research and development, I have taken one for the forum. I've spent hard earned money on a pipe from AliExpress, the chinese version of ebay, just to see how bad or good the pipe is. My initial impression from the site was that it is not suited to mobile use, but...

pipesmagazine.com

This pipe is half clay, half ox horn, and generally briar.

 

[Said.ALTINAY]

@rajangan
@BarrelProof
Hello
It is an African meerschaum covered with a material I don't know what it is..

 

[Casual]

Lies. It’s made of lies.

 

[anotherbob]

I don't know but I've heard that African meerschaum isn't so pretty and comes in several colors doesn't change color but has the same or similar smoking properties. Same material but under different conditions and purity. No clue if that's just another pipe myth or true. However every African Meer I've seen has had weird colorations.

 

[rajangan]

I'm tempted to remove all the white. It's inherently dirty.

 

[rajangan]

i would say that was a good decision.

I'm tempted to remove all the white. It's inherently dirty.

 

[Dio]

I believe that is the true color of african meer

 

[anotherbob]

I believe that is the true color of african meer

I've actually met people that feel that makes it superior to Turkish Meer because they feel the coloration process to be a negative. I know some people don't like fun but what can you do.

 

[rajangan]

There's some really nice looking African meerschaum out there.

Who knows what this looked like originally. This may very well be the colouration from smoking which couldn't be seen because of the coating.