Thinking about getting a Meerschaum, and suggestions

[kowalzekc]

Like the title says. I am thinking about getting a Meerschaum pipe to add to the (small) collection. However before I do I have a few questions:

1. Where can I get one cheap
2. What is the propose of one/benefits over a briar?
3. How well do they smoke?
4. Is there any specific tobacco you would recommend for them?
5. Once I smoke one kind of tobacco in one, can I rotate or is it best to just keep it at one?

Like I said. I am just thinking about getting one and not dead set. I would debate on getting a cheap clay pipe just to see how I like that first.

 

[Price]

Meers are great. They tend to smoke drier and cooler than briar, they don't need the rest that briars do, and they don't ghost. Any tobacco is fine, and you can rotate as you please. They are more fragile than briar, so you'll have to exercise some caution, and you will have to remove cake more often - cake is a good thing for briars, but it can crack your meer, so it's best to remove it before it starts to build up.

When buying, it's important to get one that looks good to you, but I also highly recommend looking for one with a "push-in" tenon. Older meers and some of the cheaper ones are made with a screw-in tenon which can come loose if you don't pay particular attention.

 

[kowalzekc]

Let me know when you do. I'd be interested.

Meers are great. They tend to smoke drier and cooler than briar, they don't need the rest that briars do, and they don't ghost. Any tobacco is fine, and you can rotate as you please. They are more fragile than briar, so you'll have to exercise some caution, and you will have to remove cake more often - cake is a good thing for briars, but it can crack your meer, so it's best to remove it before it starts to build up.

When buying, it's important to get one that looks good to you, but I also highly recommend looking for one with a "push-in" tenon. Older meers and some of the cheaper ones are made with a screw-in tenon which can come loose if you don't pay particular attention.

 

[Alanon]

On type and benefits - For achieving maximum benefits - looks and taste, the material should ideally be one of these two things: Certified Turkish block meerschaum, or verified vintage African meer (no longer extracted). The African stuff is said to be inferior than Turkish anyways, so no need to look for it specifically. Note that Turkish block is used outside of Turkey, and there are good makers in countries like Austria. Ebay offers a lot of good deals on certified Austrian meer pipes (around 30 bucks) from reputable vendors. The certification is very important, because block meer is really a must in order to experience all the benefits of meer that Price mentioned. The most obvious difference between a low grade block meer and a pressed meer pipe is the flavour, which is so much more intensive inside block bowls.

On design and aesthetics - While some people don't like carved pipes (something of a Turkish trademark) they help both the cooling and colouring of meerschaum. Most European meer pipes have a clear, smooth finish. Turkish ones are made as souvenirs by master carvers that shell out a pipe per a few minutes. They can be a little rough around the edges, a bit tacky at times, but have an appeal quite their own. Many people appreciate the intricate colouring of a smooth meer which can add significant value to an estate meer - which is why people buy them frequently.

Should you not be convinced by the meerchaums dryness and ability to not retain smells, I would suggest buying a meer lined pipe. A good quality specimen should give you an idea of what a meer would be like, give you training in cleaning and maintenance, help you enjoy the flavour. Should it prove faulty, just allow cake to build up and smoke it like a briar, or remove it altogether, using pipe mud for possible thin walls. Lined pipes are usually much cheaper, but because the lining is thin, it's that much more fragile. They're also almost always pressed meer (except some Dunhills, and the Africans I mentioned before).

Hope this helps!

 

[kowalzekc]

I am looking at the one on the B/S/T but I also found this http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-Plain-...613?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item460d2cbd75


Thoughts???

 

[Price]

I am looking at the one on the B/S/T but I also found this http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-Plain-...613?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item460d2cbd75


Thoughts???

That is an awfully small pipe, but if you're looking for a quick smoke, I can't imagine you can go too far wrong for that price.

 

[Alanon]

I am looking at the one on the B/S/T but I also found this http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-Plain-...613?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item460d2cbd75


Thoughts???

Everybody needs a small pipe or two, or three... For that short break when everyone gets their death-sticks out, I can pull out a pre-packed 15 minute pipe, and enjoy the ride. Oh, and some stranger-than-usual looks, because of the size. xD

 

[oc_in_fw]

I am looking at the one on the B/S/T but I also found this http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-Plain-...613?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item460d2cbd75


Thoughts???

I have bookmarked that page- a small pipe can be fun for a quick smoke, and this is an inexpensive gateway into meers.

 

[oc_in_fw]

That is an awfully small pipe, but if you're looking for a quick smoke, I can't imagine you can go too far wrong for that price.

This is only a little smaller than my small apple. Can someone give me a reason not to give this a trial?


On edit: I know I am just begging for Jason's custom title (the enabler has become the enabled) by asking that.

 

[the_edski]

Come on Owen. You are better than this, if you have to ask, you need it. Even if you don't have to ask, you need it!

This is only a little smaller than my small apple. Can someone give me a reason not to give this a trial?


On edit: I know I am just begging for Jason's custom title (the enabler has become the enabled) by asking that.

 

[oc_in_fw]

Come on Owen. You are better than this, if you have to ask, you need it. Even if you don't have to ask, you need it!

Ok, I will be th Guinea pig. If my wife's LE cutting board would ever get here I would have a better chance. Damn production delays.

 

[the_edski]

Seems I shall be the guinea pig instead. My bonus check from work came today, and it was much larger than expected so I decided to pull the trigger on the mini meerschaum

Ok, I will be th Guinea pig. If my wife's LE cutting board would ever get here I would have a better chance. Damn production delays.

 

[oc_in_fw]

Seems I shall be the guinea pig instead. My bonus check from work came today, and it was much larger than expected so I decided to pull the trigger on the mini meerschaum

Good show Ed. Maybe I will join you shortly.

 

[oc_in_fw]

Seems I shall be the guinea pig instead. My bonus check from work came today, and it was much larger than expected so I decided to pull the trigger on the mini meerschaum

Ed, I just ordered this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300479143505

on edit: for the box score, this gives kowalzekc and Ed an assist each

 

[PugslyCat]

I did the mini-mear a while back. I liked it as it was a good smoker, but my wife got all up in arms about it. She thought it looked like a drug pipe. Kinda gotta agree with that, so never took it out in public.

Mini-pipes seem great for a smoke break at work and the two I have tried, the mear and a cob, seem to smoke well. They just never struck me as a good value as I can get a full sized pipe, albeit a smallish one, for not much more money. Usually I'm going to smoke most of a bowl anyway.

My other two mears are a full sized calabash (Sherlock Holmes) pipe with the meerschaum bowl set in a mahogany pipe. It just feels right smoking it in my recliner in front of the fire. There is a smoke chamber beneath the bowl which absorbs moisture and lets the smoke cool. It is an extremely cool, dry smoker. My other one is an all mear billiard, which also performs pretty well.

 

[oc_in_fw]

I did the mini-mear a while back. I liked it as it was a good smoker, but my wife got all up in arms about it. She thought it looked like a drug pipe. Kinda gotta agree with that, so never took it out in public.

Mini-pipes seem great for a smoke break at work and the two I have tried, the mear and a cob, seem to smoke well. They just never struck me as a good value as I can get a full sized pipe, albeit a smallish one, for not much more money. Usually I'm going to smoke most of a bowl anyway.

My other two mears are a full sized calabash (Sherlock Holmes) pipe with the meerschaum bowl set in a mahogany pipe. It just feels right smoking it in my recliner in front of the fire. There is a smoke chamber beneath the bowl which absorbs moisture and lets the smoke cool. It is an extremely cool, dry smoker. My other one is an all mear billiard, which also performs pretty well.

I use a clay for quick smokes at work. They are about a five minute smoke. It has raised some eyebrows a few times, but it starts a good conversation, usually. I cannot wait to get my first meer- the one I ordered was a bit bigger than what was originally posted. I fear it might start MPAD, though.

 

[the_edski]

I think I need Jason's custom title now! I think this will be solid pick-up on both our parts (even though yours is a churchwarden)

Ed, I just ordered this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300479143505

on edit: for the box score, this gives kowalzekc and Ed an assist each

 

[oc_in_fw]

I think I need Jason's custom title now! I think this will be solid pick-up on both our parts (even though yours is a churchwarden)

Yep- you enabled this enabler. I got an email from Nicky thanking me for the order. I told him it was my first meer, and told him found out about him from B&B. He looked the site over a bit, and hopes I like the pipe. He also sent me some meer tips. I think if we like what he offers it will be a good boost for him. Of course, he is already a top rated seller.

 

[the_edski]

+1 to that. I really the enjoyed the personal and friendly email. I will be going back for sure if I find that I like meers.

Yep- you enabled this enabler. I got an email from Nicky thanking me for the order. I told him it was my first meer, and told him found out about him from B&B. He looked the site over a bit, and hopes I like the pipe. He also sent me some meer tips. I think if we like what he offers it will be a good boost for him. Of course, he is already a top rated seller.

 

[Shave_Rat]

I've added that seller to my ebay list, sounds like he's a good vendor to deal with, if/when I decide to add a meer to my collection. I hope you'll both give your impressions of the pipes once you get to give them a couple trial smokes.