MEEER! Good quality MEER?

[bentbulldog]

So Im onto the next part of my pipe collection, a smokeable meerschaum pipe. While I already have 2 of them, one is just too pretty for me to smoke and the other is a gourd calabash which i'd rather hold on to.

I am looking for a meer that I will be able to smoke. A couple of questions however

Being that meer shouldn't have a cake, does it still retain the flavors of the previous smoked blend? - this is because I would like to smoke Va's as well as Aros and maybe englishes, should these have their own meers?

Is there a difference in meer quality? Does the $20 meer on eBay smoke differently to the $99 ones in the shop?

 

[Anonymous]

Make sure you get block meerschaum rather than pressed. I tend to favor IMP meers.

 

[ftrplt]

Block meerschaum for sure! I would prefer to have three meers if you're doing Aros, Vas, and English. But that's just me. FTRPLT

 

[puros_bran]

1. Avoid those screw on stems like the plague... If it doesn't have a briar type tenon/mortise don't buy it.

2. You get what you pay for, if you buy a $20 meer your 99% likely to be dissatisfied...

3. Block meerschaum.. Pressed doesn't color, at least not correctly anyway.

4. I personally suggest IMP or Baki... Maybe a tad more than you are wanting to spend but 1 $100-200 meer that you love will beat 10 $20 meers you don't like..

5. No such thing as a Meer to pretty to smoke, unless it has that crumby screw in tenon or is pressed Meer. Generally the more a meer is smoked the more color it gets..smoke it.

6. Same thing with the Gourd, its not going to rise in value over what a 'new' gourd will... A 50 year old unsmoked Gourd is worth no more than an unsmoked gourd made yesterday.. Besides your not guaranteed tomorrow... Smoke it.

 

[adauria]

Oddly, I do separate types of tobacco for meers, but I don't detect any ghosting of flavors. Maybe I should be less particular about it.

I've been happy with CAO and Altinok meers (1 soon to be 2 (thanks Winslow) CAO, and 2 Altinoks - YMMV).

-Andrew

 

[Joseph76]

My best smokers, in my entire collection of briars and meers are my Baki meerschaum pipes. He uses the absolute best quality blocks I've ever seen. His smaller pipes start around $110-125, larger ones are $150-250. A great value, IMO.

http://bestmeerschaums.homestead.com/bakipipes.html

Regarding meers ghosting... Although my meers have no cake at all and I clean them after every smoke with Everclear, if you smoke a blend like condor, or a strong Latakia blend, they will ghost... usually takes 10-15 smokes combined with thorough cleaning to get the ghost out.

 

[Dudley Dipstick]

While my only meers are two IMPs, I can say I've been very pleased with them. What initially drew me to them were the more traditional shapes, since an ornate claw or laughing Bacchus just really isn't "me".

They both started coloring much more quickly than I expected and only a few bowls, with the smaller pipe coloring very rapidly.

After reading this thread, I now know that I'm not a Baki owner YET. Some of the pipes from the link look outstanding.

Whichever you decide, good luck.

 

[Tennessee Dave]

1. Avoid those screw on stems like the plague... If it doesn't have a briar type tenon/mortise don't buy it.

2. You get what you pay for, if you buy a $20 meer your 99% likely to be dissatisfied...

3. Block meerschaum.. Pressed doesn't color, at least not correctly anyway.

4. I personally suggest IMP or Baki... Maybe a tad more than you are wanting to spend but 1 $100-200 meer that you love will beat 10 $20 meers you don't like..

5. No such thing as a Meer to pretty to smoke, unless it has that crumby screw in tenon or is pressed Meer. Generally the more a meer is smoked the more color it gets..smoke it.

6. Same thing with the Gourd, its not going to rise in value over what a 'new' gourd will... A 50 year old unsmoked Gourd is worth no more than an unsmoked gourd made yesterday.. Besides your not guaranteed tomorrow... Smoke it.

 

[Aztech]

I tend to favor IMP meers.

ditto

 

[Mikem]

I'm partial to Altinok Meerschaums. Have four now plus one Sevket Gezer Flying Dragon that I had custom made. All fine pipes IMHO.

 

[jlong]

A $99 Aktas. Is that a good meer?

Or wait. Should we jump on the bandwagon with Winslow and drive ebay prices up?

 

[gandalfpc]

The examples of Aktas that I have seen are well carved - $99 is a fair enough price retail (up to around 150), but you should be able to get a better deal either at ebay or possibly a local pipe shop (I found some good $60 deals at mine.) A good ebay deal should score one in the 60 range too...

did anyone mention CAO?

here is one ending several days from now - could go for a bargain price...

Auction link

 

[Winslow]

I think that one will go for $80.00,stay tuned I am moving next month and am
packing up my stuff.I have about 6 pipes that I will be giving away including 3
meerschaums[one unsmoked] that aren't worth putting up for sale yet are
good smokers.

Winslow :sunny:

 

[dougc905]

Wow! Nice pipes! I especially like that he is not doing the "same old, same-old". The Niagara Falls design is great with the silver band.

My best smokers, in my entire collection of briars and meers are my Baki meerschaum pipes. He uses the absolute best quality blocks I've ever seen. His smaller pipes start around $110-125, larger ones are $150-250. A great value, IMO.

http://bestmeerschaums.homestead.com/bakipipes.html