Found Some of Dad's Pipes

[JVasky]

So I found some of my dad's pipes. He never smoked pipes and really didn't know anything about them except that he got them from a friend of his who was in the service from Turkey about 30 years ago. They look like meerschaum but I have no way of telling if they are block or not. Wondering if you guys have any input!

 

[the_edski]

Nice looking pipes! They look to be unsmoked, so you can use this quick test from Altinok to see if it's real block meer.

http://altinokmeerschaumpipes.com/meerschaum_care.asp

Scroll down to about the middle of the page : "How to know a genuine meerschaum pipe"

 

[JVasky]

Thank you for the link. Tested it out and it seems to be block to me. I guess the next question is, how do meerschaum pipes smoke?

 

[the_edski]

Thank you for the link. Tested it out and it seems to be block to me. I guess the next question is, how do meerschaum pipes smoke?

They smoke very cool. Because of the nature of the mineral, there is no ghosting if you switch tobacco types in the same pipe. The only thing is you have to be gentle with meerschaum. It is very brittle, so handle it carefully and wait til the next day after smoking to clean it.

 

[JVasky]

They smoke very cool. Because of the nature of the mineral, there is no ghosting if you switch tobacco types in the same pipe. The only thing is you have to be gentle with meerschaum. It is very brittle, so handle it carefully and wait til the next day after smoking to clean it.

Thank you for the advice and guidance. I'll be sure to post how it goes!

 

[the_edski]

Thank you for the advice and guidance. I'll be sure to post how it goes!

We look forward to hearing about it! Why don't you introduce yourself over here? http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/344793-The-Brown-Leaf-Newbie-Check-In/page10

 

[oldbluelight]

One other small tip. Avoid holding the pipe by the bowl. Use the plastic stem. Meerschaum absorbs the tars and moisture from the tobacco and slowly ages, turning a deep amber brown. That aging can be inhibited by absorbing oils and moisture from your fingers. At one time smokers wore cotton gloves to handle a meerschaum. I had to give up my pipes and I do really miss them, especially the meerschaums. They're a wonderful smoke.

 

[Hangten]

That's a great tip! I was also told that kings would employ servants to do nothing but smoke their Meers all day and night in order to get the best coloration. Now that's a job I could really get excited about! I have to think about getting one!

 

[JVasky]

Thanks guys for all the help! This is why I love this place.

 

[Commander Quan]

I was also told that kings would employ servants to do nothing but smoke their Meers all day and night in order to get the best coloration. Now that's a job I could really get excited about! I have to think about getting one!

Something like that. Here's an article from the NY Times

 

[Hangten]

Neat article. Thanks Derrick!

 

[the_edski]

Something like that. Here's an article from the NY Times

Neat article. Thanks Derrick!

+1! Awesome story!

 

[JVasky]

Great find!