So, I'm finding myself fascinated by the look of sandblasted morta pipes (Beckers in particular). Although I'm afraid they are out of my price range for the time being, I am still curious...any of you veterans have any experience with morta? What are the benefits/drawbacks? Overall impressions?
Morta?
- Thread starter Price
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I had no idea something like this existed. Semi-petrified wood pipe, cool! I like the science behind it..(from Davorin Morta Pipe): "If a tree has been exposed to the effects of water over a thousand years (just go figure what was happening in the history a thousand years ago , it is a long enough period for water to wash out all tannine, resin and other elements from the wood, rendering it neutral, an ideal material for pipes."
Sorry, got nothing for you that you haven't already read on pipedia and the like.
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Oh believe me, Ed, I've read up on it. I'm just curious if anyone has any first-hand impressions.
In case anyone doesn't know what I'm talking about...
In case anyone doesn't know what I'm talking about...
Oh that wasn't for you, Price. Like I could ever know something more about pipes than you! My inner nerd came out and I wanted to post for others to see.
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- #6
Hah! I'm still a fairly new guy at this pipe game (although a fairly new guy with a fairly obscene acquisition disorder). Only been at it about 18 months or so. I'm still learning, amigo.Oh that wasn't for you, Price. Like I could ever know something more about pipes than you! My inner nerd came out and I wanted to post for others to see.
Morta or Bog Oak is a very interesting material. It is oak that has been buried in low oxygen bogs thousands of years. Some as much as 8000. The wood "mineralizes" which I guess is the first step toward fossilizing. The material is very light, and has some of the same smoking characteristics of Meerschaum. The colors can vary from black, brown,, tan and even a greenish depending on the minerals in the bog. Once considered quite rare, it is now very readily available, I have seen tables made from it.
The popular finishes are the blast in which the unusual grain shows thru, to a nice polished smooth.
Several pipemakers are using it. Just like any pipe, prices vary a lot by the maker.
I have several, and enjoy smoking them quite often.
If you can score one, do it.
Al in Colorado
The popular finishes are the blast in which the unusual grain shows thru, to a nice polished smooth.
Several pipemakers are using it. Just like any pipe, prices vary a lot by the maker.
I have several, and enjoy smoking them quite often.
If you can score one, do it.
Al in Colorado
Damn you Price, now I want one. Payback I guess.
Wow, some nice looking pipes.
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Hah! Long way to go to settle that score.Damn you Price, now I want one. Payback I guess.
I own a Mark Tinsky custom Morta pipe and tried it for the first time last week with Dunhill London Mixture. The pipe seemed to amplify the flavor of the blend and I definitely enjoyed it. Morta is supposed to be more difficult for the pipemaker to work with than briar and may be a bit more expensive than a briar pipe. For me, it was worth it to have such a great looking pipe.
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- #13
That's probably the last thing I needed to hear. Thanks, though. Now I'll have to try to convince my wife what an excellent Father's Day present a morta pipe would make. Oh wait, I already used that one for the LE. Well, my birthday's not too far off...
Edit: BTW, welcome to the forum, Range rat. (Sure seem to be a lot of Rats hanging around the brown leaf these days.)
That's probably the last thing I needed to hear. Thanks, though. Now I'll have to try to convince my wife what an excellent Father's Day present a morta pipe would make. Oh wait, I already used that one for the LE. Well, my birthday's not too far off...
Edit: BTW, welcome to the forum, Range rat. (Sure seem to be a lot of Rats hanging around the brown leaf these days.)
Let me know if you need a signed note from your friendly BL Stew about how important a Tinsky Morta pipe would be to your wellbeing!
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Let me know if you need a signed note from your friendly BL Stew about how important a Tinsky Morta pipe would be to your wellbeing!
I'm not sure the admiral would be swayed by such an overt ploy, but I do appreciate your willingness to perform such stewardly duties.
Those are some of the prettiest pipes I have ever seen. Right up my alley, if I was still on the pipe. But I noticed the prices on some of these morta pipes (at least the Becker's) and they are out of my league.
have any of you guys seen the peterson irish bog oak one? I think it was made during WWII
I've drooled over a few pictures of morta pipes over on tampandpuff.com in the past. Santa are you with me on this one???....
honestly, I can explain all that 'bad' stuff.
honestly, I can explain all that 'bad' stuff.I agree that Beckers (who is my favorite pipemaker) have moved to the pricy side. One of mine is a Becker. Two of above are Duca's ( the one with the orange stem and the one with the ivory band), his pipes are half the cost of the others and he does a fine job. Fit, form and finish are equal to any of the other makers.
al in colorado
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