Problem Meerschaum Pipes: Myth or Legend?

[Mister Moo]

So I read that several smokers are less than thrilled with their meers. I wonder why? Here is a place to reveal details about your perfect clay pipes or to whine about your problem meers and, I hope, find solutions to improve performance and enjoyment of your should-be Wunderpipen. They are some bright folks here who might have simple solutions or tune up ideas to obvious problems. Me? Apparently, through nothing more than dumb luck, I ended up with good pipes and had no idea so many folks were disappointed with meerschaum.

I smoke two regularly (pictured); the new meer-desian block has a huge bowl by my standards (7/8" x 2") and the pressed lattice measures a smaller 3/4" x 1 1/2". I own two others but they are not smoked very often; one is a '70s vintage Pioneer gourd/meer and the other a 40-year old carved buccaneer which, while fun to look at, is hard to hold or put down.



The two regulars are essentially ghostless and they aren't chronic gurglers. With tobak that's on the moist side they may need a few swabs/bowl but in most cases a smoke needs no more swabbing than I'd expect from a briar. I'm not obscessive about keeping the pipe walls scraped to near-clay. They get a rub with a looped bristle cleaner after every smoke or two and there is some slight cake buildup, less than 1mm. If something gets chunky-looking in the bowl I'll scrape it down with a pipe tool. Maybe that bit of cake moderates moisture some - I seem to recall the pipes were smoking wetter when new but I can't swear to it. Smoking quality for both pipes? I'd call them both very good in spite of the fact that the lattice has a smaller airway than the larger rhodesian. Walker Briar (for one) discusses restricted airflow common in meers and has a $16-$19 solution for what is often a $35 pipe. Maybe I have good luck with the lattice because I use it for VA tobak and tend to smoke

Each has needed a push-pull replacement over the past few years so I keep replacements for the inevitable repair. Otherwise, I like my meers and have no complaints.

[Mr.Lordi]

I have one meer, that cost me 50 bucks. I've only had a few minor problems with my meer. One, the inside of the bowl burned somehow, so now it always smells burnt, unless you smoke in it. two, the stem is loose and I don't know how to fix it.

I've not had any ghost problems with it that I can tell, and I've smoked Altadis Frosty Mint out of it.

Bowls on meers also always tend to be way to small.

The one clay I have is awesome, except for the fact they pack oddly and I can never keep mine lit.

[dmkerr]

I have about 8 meers and none of them draw as good as they should, but the degrees are varying. I have an SMS oom paul shape that smokes the best (but they still pissed me off - see Indigo's post) and an IMP is a very close second. I have meers ranging in price from $50 - $300 or so.

I don't worry much about cake, either, and in fact, I think they smoke better with a little bit of carbonization. I don't allow it to get very thick, though.

Thanks for the link. I'm definitely going to check that out.

[indigosmoke]

Dan...great idea for a thread.

I didn't want to double post so I thought I'd put a link here to my post in another thread about my experiences with an SMS meerschaum.

The problems I was experiencing:
How Many Pipes Do You Need?

Response from SMS customer service here:
How Many Pipes Do You Need?

[drastic_quench]

Does Stanwell, Savinelli, or Peterson make a meer-lined briar pipe?

I'd like something I can take on trips or hiking and smoke it like a chimney, but don't have to worry over it staining like meer. I'm not interested in clay unfortunately.

[AcworthAl]

Originally Posted by drastic_quench

Does Stanwell, Savinelli, or Peterson make a meer-lined briar pipe?

I'd like something I can take on trips or hiking and smoke it like a chimney, but don't have to worry over it staining like meer. I'm not interested in clay unfortunately.

Peterson makes a nice looking one, but it is 200+ dollars

[Hendu3270]

Dang Moo!! Why you gotta start a Meer thread? I have enough pipes....must...resist....the.....temp..t....ati.. .on........










I'm ok now.

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by Hendu3270

Dang Moo!! Why you gotta start a Meer thread?

It's about problem meers, Hens. Just disregard it entirely. Meers suck except for a few of mine.

[HU1844SMOKER]

I have 4 Meers and three of those will take me a hundred years to get a decent color on them while the one my girlfriend bought me a few years ago is coloring at a rapid pace. I like them and only smoke them holding the stems so I do not get fingerprints on them. Maybe I should smoke more often. I have a CAO that is really nice. Should upload some photos of them I guess.

[Hendu3270]

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

It's about problem meers, Hens. Just disregard it entirely. Meers suck except for a few of mine.

LOL

[RJpuffs]

I have one meer but don't smoke it much - the draw sucks (or doesn't, as the case is). I find the insert to be way to small for a good smoke. I forget what make it is, but its a plain small meer. Whistles too, probably bad drilling. And I find meers to be too delicate for my klutzy persona - at least a briar will bounce nicely all the way when dropped down a flight of concrete steps (been there, bounced that). Thonk-thonk-thonk-thonk quite a remarkable sound, briar meeting concrete.

To recap, I have one, don't care for it much, and probably will not get another. Unless it has a bovine relief carving, then, perhaps.

[Mad Hatter]

I have more than twelve meers. All are african meer which have a metal insert and a standard tenon just like a briar with the exception of an OomPoul Pioneer. All smoke just fine.

[indigosmoke]

What is African meer?

[Requiem]

Originally Posted by drastic_quench

Does Stanwell, Savinelli, or Peterson make a meer-lined briar pipe?

I'd like something I can take on trips or hiking and smoke it like a chimney, but don't have to worry over it staining like meer. I'm not interested in clay unfortunately.

I've been looking for a meer-lined too. Chacom as some for about £80, while Big Ben as a cheap range for about £25.

[IKMeerschaum]

Originally Posted by indigosmoke

What is African meer?

African Meerschaum differs from MOST meerschaum pipes in that the stone it is carved from comes from Africa rather than Turkey. You can find meerschaum in many places around the world including in Utah I've been told.

Turkish meerschaum however, is the best for pipe carving because it is much smoother and lighter than that found in other locations. African meerschaum in particular is fairly grainy and usually won't hold a smooth or intricately carved finish but has been used successfully in a lot of "rusticated" pipes.