| Author | Message | ||
     Andre Reffhaug Member Username: Areff Post Number: 3 Registered: 09-2005 |
Hello again, it's everyones favorite amateur! I am currently smoking two briar pipes, which I enjoy immensely, much thanks to you guys and your answers. I've had my eyes on a beautiful meerschaum-pipe in one of the stores I frequent for a while, and seeing as how I've just now fallen into some money, it's time to acquire it! My question is then: is there anything in particular I should be weary of with these kinds of pipes? I've read up as good as I can, but I thought it was worth a post on this forum, since you guys have all the practical experience in the field. | ||
| Melvin S. Schwartz Board Administrator Username: Schwartz Post Number: 2957 Registered: 02-2002 |
Here are some articles that you may find helpful: 3.6 How Should I Care For My Meerschaum? http://www.aspipes.org/faq/faq/official.html#i3.6 The following is an excerpt from http://altinokpipe.com/ (Meerschaum Story-1 under Learning Zone) Caring for Your Meerschaum Pipe 1. Your Meerschaum pipe requires more careful handling than other pipes. Handle the pipe lightly to avoid rubbing off the wax and to prevent any dirt or oils that might be on your fingers from discoloring the pipe. Of course, you should always take care not to drop your Meerschaum on a hard surface. 2. Caution : Do not overly tighten the bit. Most of the leading manufacturers are now using a teflon fitting to join the bit and shank of high grade Meerschaum pipes, improving their durability. However, excessive tightening can still cause the shank to crack. 3. Never ream a Meerschaum directly after smoking. It will have been softened by the moisture it has absorbed. Let it dry a day or two before reaming. 4. When using a pipe cleaner, take care not to push the cleaner too far into the bowl. The wire would eventually wear a hole in the heel of the pipe. 5. If you use a pipe sweetener to clean the inside of the shank, be careful that none of it drips on the outside of the pipe. The following is an excerpt from An article from Spring/2002 issue of P&T "Pipe Smoking - Meerschaum Style" By Stephen A. Rose http://altinokpipe.com/ (Meerschaum Story-2 under Learning Zone) Cleaning a meerschaum pipe is very similar to cleaning a briar, but there are some special considerations to keep in mind. Sermet advises that when cleaning a pipe, it’s important to make sure the bowl and the shank are equally supported. “Don’t hold only the bowl, or the shank will twist off. It’s also important to periodically check the mortise and tenon to make sure the fitting is tight because moisture can deteriorate the fitting. I would also swab out the meerschaum’s bowl with a soft pipe cleaner to prevent cake accumulation. I wouldn’t use any cleaning fluids except perhaps brandy.” Ozgener agrees with much of Sermet’s advice, “The quality of the smoke from a clean meerschaum pipe is much better than from an unclean meerschaum pipe. Clean the stem with a pipe cleaner and disengage the mouthpiece only when the pipe is cool. You have to support the shank of the meerschaum when you disengage the stem. Then you clean the pipe’s shank and clean the inside of the bowl with a blunt object. In my opinion, you don’t want any cake residue in meerschaum. The cake can expand and contract at a different rate than the meerschaum, which could cause the pipe to crack.” Butera generally agrees with Ozgener and Sermet, but thinks that decisions about cake or cleaning fluids should be left to the individual. “I personally like to have cake on all of my pipes because I think it provides a cleaner, drier and more delicious smoke. Some people think that cake will prevent a pipe from coloring as quickly, but I don’t think that’s true. If you decide to build a cake, don’t let it get any bigger than a nickel’s thickness. I’ve smoked a lot of meerschaum pipes in my life and I’ve never had one break because of the cake in it. As far as cleaning a meerschaum is concerned, you can use pipe sweeteners, but avoid getting them on the outside surface of the meerschaum." | ||
| Charlie S Member Username: Charlie_stemmel Post Number: 31 Registered: 09-2005 |
Andre, Quite a few makers use a truly funky connecting system between the stem and bowl which results in a severe restriction in the air way. I have several that I plan to rework to eliminate this problem as soon as I decide the best approach. Recently I did find a maker who was using a delrin tenon with a 4mm ( 5/32") draft hole. Unfortunately I don't remember where I saw it, however, if you really are interested let me know and I'll locate the web site whwere I saw them. I strongly encourage you to hold off and not buy anything until you can find a meer with the proper size draft hole. Other wise you'll probably be buying a beautiful piece which will quickly be delegated to collecting dust on a pipe rack. | ||
| Melvin S. Schwartz Board Administrator Username: Schwartz Post Number: 2961 Registered: 02-2002 |
Charlie, Sounds like you are referring to the Gulel meerschaum pipe: http://groups.google.com/group/alt.smokers.pipes/msg/641dc41459912e64 www.smokingpipes.com used to have them but a check of their website shows no current offerings from that brand. The following showed up during a search: http://laudisi.com/gulel/medium-deluxe.html http://www.smokingpipes.com/pipes/new/gulel/moreinfo.cfm?product_id=7802 | ||
| R.G.Plank Member Username: Smokybear Post Number: 57 Registered: 07-2005 |
Has anyone done business with AAAMeerschaum.com? I stumbled onto this site and am amazed at the number of different models offered, as well as prices. I'm looking..........(P.A.D. strikes again...oh well....) R.G. SmokyBear | ||
| smokey strodtman Member Username: Smokey422 Post Number: 187 Registered: 08-2005 |
IMHO, one of the best meerschaum pipe lines on the market is the one by IMP. They have a standard mortise/tenon setup, not the screw type, and a very good draw. Their finish is excellent and the smoking qualities are superb. They are not the cheapest on the market, but you get what you pay for. You can find them at www.smokershaven.com. smokey | ||
| Russel Rader Member Username: Russ Post Number: 2 Registered: 10-2005 |
Hello folks! As I puff a meerschaum as I type, I would go with a Turkish block meer in a standard shape to see if a meer is for you. They can be had fairly reasonably and smoke great! The Barling and Peterson pipes are African meer and also smoke well, they aren't as porous but are more sturdy, I have 2 and love them for pipes I use if I leave the house. As for AAA Meerschaum, just recieved a pipe from them this week and am very happy. Quick shipping and a nice piece! | ||
| R.G.Plank Member Username: Smokybear Post Number: 58 Registered: 07-2005 |
Thank you, Smokey and Russel. I decided on an IMP and it should arrive next week. Russel, I'm curious...does your pipe from AAA Meerschaum pass a pipe cleaner all the way through w/o disassembly? And what is the mortise/tenon design? If the answers are what I'm hoping for, and I like the IMP, there's a AAA model that has caught my eye.....dang this P.A.D! Thanks, guys. R.G. SmokyBear | ||
| Gary R. Thomason Member Username: Phantom55 Post Number: 120 Registered: 11-2004 |
I would stick with a major brand, whatever they are right now. Have not bought a meer in many years, and then Cinzano Ozgener ie CAO was the major brand. | ||
| Russel Rader Member Username: Russ Post Number: 3 Registered: 10-2005 |
The AAA I purchaced is one of the Baglan offerings. The stem is rather long and would have to be removed to use a regular cleaner, one designed for churchwardens would probably work without taking it apart. The connection is the standard for a pipe of this type, a plastic screw in the shank and a plastic rod from the stem which fits into it. When removing the stem on a meer always turn the stem clockwise. Hope this helps, Russ | ||
| Dave Fair Member Username: Labrat Post Number: 12 Registered: 08-2005 |
I have two IMP Meers that I love. | ||
| Roger Price Member Username: Regor Post Number: 92 Registered: 12-2004 |
IMP does make a great smoking meer. I have one and I love it. Hope to get 2 more this winter. They are easy to clean and take care of, IMO they are well worth it!! | ||
| R.G.Plank Member Username: Smokybear Post Number: 65 Registered: 07-2005 |
Well Smokey, my IMP arrived today and I thank you for recommending IMP to me. It's a thing of beauty, very good craftsmanship, and it was odd to smoke it for the 1st time and taste nothing but tobacco! At least, that's what I THINK the difference was.....LOL Now then, does it need to be rested after a smoke, as I would a briar? Somewhere I read that it's not necessary with a meer. True? Thanks, R.G. SmokyBear |