Chaps, do you think this is a good one?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....907049&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_5162wt_932
I have this exact pipe myself. It will take some breaking in as the wood is very potent. The meerschaum bowl is great though. Mine smokes fine and the biggest advantage of any Calabash isn't how cool it smokes, but how dry it smokes. No gurgling involved and that is a HUGE bonus. They are a novelty pipe...Especially true gourds. Very heavy and definitely a hand-held pipe. The Meerschaum will color with age from pinkish to golden brown and with enough use will get darker and darker till it eventually can become black...But that would require years of heavy smoking. Also avoid touching it with your hands as much as possible.