Wnat to try a Meerschaum
- Thread starter byzcath
- Start date
SmokingPipes.com Updates
Watch for Updates Twice a Week
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
Site Sponsors
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
- Status
Hi Fr.,
Fred seems to be the de facto expert on this, but I can say that I received an expensive meer as a gift, and concern about marring it in some way -- every time I pick it up -- generates a level of angst that vitiates the pleasure of smoking. Think inexpensive. That's my 2¢.
Fred seems to be the de facto expert on this, but I can say that I received an expensive meer as a gift, and concern about marring it in some way -- every time I pick it up -- generates a level of angst that vitiates the pleasure of smoking. Think inexpensive. That's my 2¢.
I too want to try a Meer, but I am afraid I will break it! So I think I am going to buy a cheap one like Cortez suggested and if I enjoy it look for a better quality meer...
I have had real good luck with estate meerschaums. Avoid the cheapie pipes you see on fleabay though. Inexperienced carvers using inferior materials, in my not overly humble opinion.
I'm not an expert on Meerschaums, but for years have considered myself a serious
student of these Pipes. Fr. Ron, have you read the article on the Meerschaum
Experience? What is it that you expect from a Pipe and what is the price you
are willing to pay for it? Without knowledge of these Pipes, it's unwise to
shop for 'bargains' on e-bay. The estate Meerschaum market is a greater risk to
the Buyer, which is what the second article addresses. Reputable Sellers exist, but
they do not sell 'cheap' Pipes, because their reputation means more to them than the
sale of any Pipe, and 'cheap' Meerschaums are made from substandard materials, such
as: pressed or resin Meerschaum, clay, Plaster of Paris and even plastic coated with
Meerschaum dust. The Meerschaum Experience article discusses what to look for, when
considering a purchase and provides a list of reputable sources. Over the years,
I've learned that it's really a personal choice that the Buyer must make when a
selection of any Pipe is to be made, just as it's personal choice that will lead
you to buy certain blends to smoke. If you find a Pipe that you like but it's out
of your budget, then save your money to get it because buying a 'cheap' Meerschaum
is throwing your money to a bad experience. Let us know what you think and what
questions you might have about the article. It was written for people who want to
know the basics that will enable them to make good choices.
student of these Pipes. Fr. Ron, have you read the article on the Meerschaum
Experience? What is it that you expect from a Pipe and what is the price you
are willing to pay for it? Without knowledge of these Pipes, it's unwise to
shop for 'bargains' on e-bay. The estate Meerschaum market is a greater risk to
the Buyer, which is what the second article addresses. Reputable Sellers exist, but
they do not sell 'cheap' Pipes, because their reputation means more to them than the
sale of any Pipe, and 'cheap' Meerschaums are made from substandard materials, such
as: pressed or resin Meerschaum, clay, Plaster of Paris and even plastic coated with
Meerschaum dust. The Meerschaum Experience article discusses what to look for, when
considering a purchase and provides a list of reputable sources. Over the years,
I've learned that it's really a personal choice that the Buyer must make when a
selection of any Pipe is to be made, just as it's personal choice that will lead
you to buy certain blends to smoke. If you find a Pipe that you like but it's out
of your budget, then save your money to get it because buying a 'cheap' Meerschaum
is throwing your money to a bad experience. Let us know what you think and what
questions you might have about the article. It was written for people who want to
know the basics that will enable them to make good choices.
I have one meer, an Altinok one. I can recommend their store, the customer service was really good and friendly. As for the pipe itself it is really nice. Smoking a meer sort of removes the pipe-taste some briars give. It is more focused on the actual tobacco. I wish I could afford more meers.
As you can see, I didn't go for a fancy hula-girl carving or "old mans head" or anything like that. It is starting to have a good coloring to it now.
As you can see, I didn't go for a fancy hula-girl carving or "old mans head" or anything like that. It is starting to have a good coloring to it now.
Juni that is a real nice looking pipe... I would be going for something similar to yours, I am not really into the elaborate carvings!
If only my wife would buy such a beautiful gift! You are a lucky man... Now to see if I can find a good one for around $80-$100!
Bubba, you already have one wife, and I doubt you could find another for that price.
But you can get yourself a good "starter" Meer for that.
Fr. Ron, Bubba, you fella's might try The Briary. Skip had several very nice pipes in bubba"s range and up, including a kind of Calbash/Churchwarden Meer that is might pretty. I don't see it on the site but it was in the show case about a week ago or so, going for $100.
But you can get yourself a good "starter" Meer for that.
Fr. Ron, Bubba, you fella's might try The Briary. Skip had several very nice pipes in bubba"s range and up, including a kind of Calbash/Churchwarden Meer that is might pretty. I don't see it on the site but it was in the show case about a week ago or so, going for $100.
Sinan provides a wide range of Pipes that also use the IMP style bit-to-shank
connector, as Baki uses as well. Personal preference dictates the meaning of
'best' to the Buyer. The sources I've included in the article are all reputable.
A source for IMP that I've used is http://www.smokingpipes.com/pipes/new/imp/index.cfm
as well as Kenan's e-bay store. Sinan sells on e-bay and has his own web site:
http://altinokpipe.com/ Baki's Pipes can only be acquired from Deniz Ural:
http://bestmeerschaums.homestead.com/coverpage.html which is also a source of Pipes
by other notable Carvers. SMS Meerschaums can be found here. I suggest the Premium
series... http://www.therightpipe.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.main
There should be something for just about every budget and preference in these sources.
connector, as Baki uses as well. Personal preference dictates the meaning of
'best' to the Buyer. The sources I've included in the article are all reputable.
A source for IMP that I've used is http://www.smokingpipes.com/pipes/new/imp/index.cfm
as well as Kenan's e-bay store. Sinan sells on e-bay and has his own web site:
http://altinokpipe.com/ Baki's Pipes can only be acquired from Deniz Ural:
http://bestmeerschaums.homestead.com/coverpage.html which is also a source of Pipes
by other notable Carvers. SMS Meerschaums can be found here. I suggest the Premium
series... http://www.therightpipe.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.main
There should be something for just about every budget and preference in these sources.
If it's affordable, how about something custom-carved with a theme plucked from the artistically rich milieu of Byzantium?
Altinok offers to work from a sketch or photograph: a nice, meaningful mosaic or symbolic object would be pretty cool.
I wouldn't be so crass and sacrilegious as to suggest a Jesus-pipe, but a generic, bearded Archbishop might work.
Altinok offers to work from a sketch or photograph: a nice, meaningful mosaic or symbolic object would be pretty cool.
I wouldn't be so crass and sacrilegious as to suggest a Jesus-pipe, but a generic, bearded Archbishop might work.
You're welcome Bubbadreier. These are links to Sellers that I've had good
experience with and they serve to help Meerschaum neophytes to gain perspective
of what is available in quality Pipes. In the international Meerschaum trades,
'bargains' are generally too good to be genuine. I have spent nearly 2 years
bringing what knowledge and understanding of this cottage industry to people
who are interested. The unique qualities of the Meerschaum Pipe business are
among the reasons I agreed to start the All Things Meerschaum Group on Smoker's
Forum, when I was asked to do so by the SF Team. Kevin has made the link to this
available at the end of the Meerschaum Experience article. Membership is required
to have access to the last 2 years of discovery and evaluations, contained in
the sticky threads to spare it from periodic server purges, but the membership
is free. There's easily a couple of hours of reading preserved there, which is
available for those who want to learn more about these Pipes, where to get them,
how to care for them and the pleasures they provide. This is not a pulpit for
my views, but instead is a compilation of knowledge from Pipe smokers, Carvers,
Retailers and Scholars. The only requirement is that you have enough interest
to read what has been compiled. It's really like a hunt, as the information
has been scattered over time and different locations. Much has been lost. For me,
it has been a voyage of discovery, which has been made available to those with
the desire to learn more.
experience with and they serve to help Meerschaum neophytes to gain perspective
of what is available in quality Pipes. In the international Meerschaum trades,
'bargains' are generally too good to be genuine. I have spent nearly 2 years
bringing what knowledge and understanding of this cottage industry to people
who are interested. The unique qualities of the Meerschaum Pipe business are
among the reasons I agreed to start the All Things Meerschaum Group on Smoker's
Forum, when I was asked to do so by the SF Team. Kevin has made the link to this
available at the end of the Meerschaum Experience article. Membership is required
to have access to the last 2 years of discovery and evaluations, contained in
the sticky threads to spare it from periodic server purges, but the membership
is free. There's easily a couple of hours of reading preserved there, which is
available for those who want to learn more about these Pipes, where to get them,
how to care for them and the pleasures they provide. This is not a pulpit for
my views, but instead is a compilation of knowledge from Pipe smokers, Carvers,
Retailers and Scholars. The only requirement is that you have enough interest
to read what has been compiled. It's really like a hunt, as the information
has been scattered over time and different locations. Much has been lost. For me,
it has been a voyage of discovery, which has been made available to those with
the desire to learn more.
Not to be rude or anything, but isn't this slightly outdated (at therightpipe):
FREE VIDEO
"The Turkish Block Meerschaum Pipe"
Free with the purchase an SMS Meerschaum pipe.
$10 value. Quantities limited. VHS format.
---
I haven't seen a VHS video in a while.
The site itself has some awesome deals for pipes though.
FREE VIDEO
"The Turkish Block Meerschaum Pipe"
Free with the purchase an SMS Meerschaum pipe.
$10 value. Quantities limited. VHS format.
---
I haven't seen a VHS video in a while.
The site itself has some awesome deals for pipes though.
Technically, from the standpoint of copyright, the government still sees VHS as a viable format. You can still purchase the players (even though you have to hunt to find an establishment that still carries them), so technically, a VHS tape isn't completely out-of-date. But to you and me, it's an obsolete format.
-Jason
-Jason
Yes Juni, the VHS is outdated and likely out of stock. It's a 20 minute color
film that had been sent to B&Ms, for product education as a sales assist. It
features a very young Beth & Sam Simet, who are SMS, and a very young Sadik
Yanik - who, even at the age of 14 was celebrated as an accomplished Master
Carver. If you get a chance to see it, it's worth the view.
film that had been sent to B&Ms, for product education as a sales assist. It
features a very young Beth & Sam Simet, who are SMS, and a very young Sadik
Yanik - who, even at the age of 14 was celebrated as an accomplished Master
Carver. If you get a chance to see it, it's worth the view.
- Status