Considering a Meer

[Kyle Weiss]

I've been smoking meers for more than 20 years. Just keep your hands clean and you should be fine to hold it however you want. I'm a bit of a rebel though. I smoke them in the cold, in the snow, in the rain. I figure if it breaks it breaks. I have that attitude because I had one virtually explode on me in 100 degree heat. If its going to break it doesn't matter how much you baby it its going to break. Be as gentle as you can and just enjoy it for what it is. Don't get all wrapped up in rules.

This is how I feel about the whole meer thing.   The IMP meer that self-destructed was design flaw-- mortise/tenon setup was extremely tight, and moisture + heat + pressure... I know exactly why it broke in 65F weather. :lol: They just do that sometimes...

...the only reason why I wear gloves and don't touch one of them is I want to see the coloration difference between that one and one I do hold, which is gonna take a long time.   20 years or so.  :lol:  

Meerschaum can get effing HOT while smoked, so on smaller pipes holding 'em by the bowl isn't advisable anyway.  

8)

 

[puros_bran]

Maybe it was IMP I'm thinking of... What brand was it smokingpipes used to sell? Supposedly twin brothers carved them or something.

 

[Kyle Weiss]

I got my IMP from smokingpipes... :shrug:

 

[idbowman]

Thanks for the info, all.

Kyle, mighty fine offer and I think I'll take you up on it - check your PMs if you haven't already.


My HOPE is that I'll get a hold of the meer, find I enjoy it very much, and decide to get at custom Bully done down the road. I don't really see myself gearing my collection towards meers (but who knows with these things), I could see it being nice having two or three to complement the usual briars.

 

[KevinM]

I have three meers, all of them in traditional, not figurative shapes, which just look heavy and, well, odd, to me, though others prize them. Meers are fine, but I don't see a point of preference when compared to a briar or 'umble cob. I find that the meer coloring thing is a distraction, so I mostly just smoke mine, though with accommodations to season and weather as described by the previous posters. One of my meers has a thumb print on the bowl from holding it. I hold the others the same way, and there's no thumb print. Each of my meers seems to have a personality of its own, to some extent. One of my meers seems softer than the other two, judging by the fine scratches. One of my meers is coloring nicely (the one with the thumb print); another has what looks like a bathtub ring at mid-bowl, and the other seems to be coloring reluctantly. Get block meer, not the kind that's pressed. (You likely know that.) I've noticed attractive prices from estate pipe sites. Look for a meer that comes with a fitted case, if you can find one. Good luck.

 

[Kyle Weiss]

The meer I offered Ian is a block meer, but it needed to be pressed together with a band. :lol: Ian, better to find out if you like smoking meerschaum pipes before you commit to a ton of cash on one, or several (the sickness of "this one was no good, maybe it was just the pipe...) :lol: That gets expensive. Leave that kind of thinking to lighters... (...oh, maybe THIS $XXXX lighter will be the one I have for life...)... :drunken:

Very few figural meerschaum pipes appeal to me. Unless it's some subtle Lovecraftian-themed handiwork, I'll stick with the classics, too. Perky-breasted vixens, the 1,001 Bacchus renditions, claws holding a _________, dragons holding in its claws a perky-breasted vixen and Bacchus ...

...if I were forced at gunpoint to choose another, I did see a smaller bent billiard with a military-type bit that came in a case that could fit in a shirt pocket that was really keen.

Plus, some of those figural pipes come with cases that are the size of a 1/2lb hamburger.

8)

 

[monbla256]

I have three Meers, two I've had for around 30+ years ( and not smoked much for various reasons) and my latest, an Altinok Bachus I got about 3 years ago and have smoked alot (trying to get it colored at least as much as the other two before I die :twisted: ) and I LOOOOVE 'em ALL !! But they are pipes I only smoke when I'm going to devote my time to sitting down and smoking ONLY !! And i ONLY smoke 'em INSIDE in a temperature controled environment ie , ac in summer and heat in winter!! They do smoke cooler than similar sized briars and do not impart any "extra" flavor to the 'baccy as a briar does. SMS ( I have one of theirs) and Altinok ( I have two of theirs) are some good "Brands" and are not overly priced for the quality of the pipe you purchase. I'd recomend ANY of theirs !!:twisted:

 

[Richard Burley]

 Perky-breasted vixens, the 1,001 Bacchus renditions, claws holding a _________, dragons holding in its claws a perky-breasted vixen and Bacchus ...

:lol!: