Meerschaums - smooth vs. lattice

[billporter1456]

I would like to hear some opinions on meerschaums, in particular, your preference for a smooth finish vs. a lattice finish. Which do you like and why. Thanks in advance for your input.

BTW, I just bought a cheapy on eBay that I am HOPING is a block meerschaum. The only reason I can figure that the pipe went so cheaply is that the seller misspelled meerschaum by leaving out the "c" in "meerschaum." The seller says the pipe has been in the family for many years. How can I tell if it is a block meerschaum? Here is the link to my eBay purchase: vintage meerschaum on eBay

 

[Dave_In_Philly]

Good luck with your new pipe, she looks pretty sweet.

I have never owned a Meer, but I have always fancied the more traditional shapes with the lattice finished.

Like this guy:

 

[billporter1456]

I favor traditional shapes as well. I just couldn't resist pulling the trigger on what might be a vintage block meer for $20.

 

[mark]

I have both lattice and smooth and really don't have a preference. Block meers are heavier than pressed and it's said the pressed don't color as well, but I can't tell you because mine are block.

For $20 I wouldn't worry about it and smoke away.

 

[monbla256]

That carved Lion's head would be a solid block meer. It looks alot like the style of lion's head carving I've seen on SMS meers which are all carved from solid block. You got a VERY good deal on an unsmoked carved meer for sure. That style is still offered by SMS so it's probably not as "vintage" as was presented, but that's OK it's a damn nice pipe
As far as which style I prefer, I'm a figural guy. Since the material lends itself to being so beautifully carved and the manner of coloring that carved pipes go thru as opposed to just the plain shaped ones is what does it for me. I have 4 and they are ALL figural carved.
Again, ya got a nice pipe

 

[billporter1456]

I have both lattice and smooth and really don't have a preference. Block meers are heavier than pressed and it's said the pressed don't color as well, but I can't tell you because mine are block.

For $20 I wouldn't worry about it and smoke away.

Yeah, not much of a gamble at $20.

By the way, I asked the question about how to tell if a meer is block meerschaum on another forum and got this helpful response:

"One way to tell the difference between block and pressed meerschaum is to wet a finger and rub it inside the bowl...block will quickly absorb the moisture. Another way you tell is to lightly mark the bottom of the bowl with a piece of clean silver. Silver will leave mark on composite or pressed meerschaum but not on block."

 

[billporter1456]

That carved Lion's head would be a solid block meer. It looks alot like the style of lion's head carving I've seen on SMS meers which are all carved from solid block. You got a VERY good deal on an unsmoked carved meer for sure. That style is still offered by SMS so it's probably not as "vintage" as was presented, but that's OK it's a damn nice pipe
As far as which style I prefer, I'm a figural guy. Since the material lends itself to being so beautifully carved and the manner of coloring that carved pipes go thru as opposed to just the plain shaped ones is what does it for me. I have 4 and they are ALL figural carved.
Again, ya got a nice pipe

Thanks for your response. Even though I not really into figurals, I couldn't resist the chance to get if for @20.

 

[Dutch]

Some pipers feel that lattice and similar carvings dissipate heat better than the smooth versions, similar to the theory on rusticated vs. smooth briar. The carving on your figural meer should dissipate heat better than a smooth billiard or similar style.

That is a helluva deal you got for $20! :cheers:

 

[billporter1456]

Some pipers feel that lattice and similar carvings dissipate heat better than the smooth versions, similar to the theory on rusticated vs. smooth briar. The carving on your figural meer should dissipate heat better than a smooth billiard or similar style.

That is a helluva deal you got for $20! :cheers:

OK, that makes sense. I'm thinking that one reason there were no bids on this meer is that the auction ended about 7 AM Eastern time on a weekday morning. That plus the fact that meerschaum was misspelled. I'm looking forward to giving it a test smoke in a few days.

 

[Kyle Weiss]

I've been under the impression block meerschaum is lighter in weight and colors better due to the porosity, whereas pressed meerschaum uses some kind of cement/fixative to keep the "powder" together, thus more material and uneven settling of the particles making it denser, thus, heavier--and not as able to color as nicely. *shrug*

I like the lattice designs, but I find many meerschaum shapes to be unappealing to my eye. Funny enough, I prefer the classic shapes in meerschaum and more odd shapes with briar. What I'd love to find is a nice bent bulldog with lattice work. They're out there occasionally, but I question the quality.

8)

 

[PipeDragon]

I've been under the impression block meerschaum is lighter in weight and colors better due to the porosity, whereas pressed meerschaum uses some kind of cement/fixative to keep the "powder" together, thus more material and uneven settling of the particles making it denser, thus, heavier--and not as able to color as nicely. *shrug*

I like the lattice designs, but I find many meerschaum shapes to be unappealing to my eye. Funny enough, I prefer the classic shapes in meerschaum and more odd shapes with briar. What I'd love to find is a nice bent bulldog with lattice work. They're out there occasionally, but I question the quality.

8)

Kyle,

Your right as far as the weight difference etc between the block and pressed Meerschaum. I think the reason people believe the opposite (pressed is lighter then block) is because of the word block and subliminally they think heavy, denser and less porous.

 

[PipeDragon]

I would like to hear some opinions on meerschaums, in particular, your preference for a smooth finish vs. a lattice finish. Which do you like and why. Thanks in advance for your input.

BTW, I just bought a cheapy on eBay that I am HOPING is a block meerschaum. The only reason I can figure that the pipe went so cheaply is that the seller misspelled meerschaum by leaving out the "c" in "meerschaum." The seller says the pipe has been in the family for many years. How can I tell if it is a block meerschaum? Here is the link to my eBay purchase: vintage meerschaum on eBay

Having several of each in my collection I think it just comes down to a matter of taste and what catches your eye. There are smooths out there I dont like and vice-versa with lattice.

As far as telling if your new Meer is carved from block or not, I would favor in the direction of block just looking at the pictures. However, holding it would also help because if its is "really heavy" and non porous feeling in the hand, then there is a possibility that it is either carved from pressed Meer or it is a "lower" quality block just becuase it is much denser etc).

Either way, I think you got a great deal and if you like it and it smokes good for you then thats all that matters in the end regardless of what it is carved from.

 

[billporter1456]

As far as telling if your new Meer is carved from block or not, I would favor in the direction of block just looking at the pictures. However, holding it would also help because if its is "really heavy" and non porous feeling in the hand, then there is a possibility that it is either carved from pressed Meer or it is a "lower" quality block just becuase it is much denser etc).

On another forum, a poster provided this way to tell if it is a block meer:

"One way to tell the difference between block and pressed meerschaum is to wet a finger and rub it inside the bowl...block will quickly absorb the moisture. Another way you tell is to lightly mark the bottom of the bowl with a piece of clean silver. Silver will leave mark on composite or pressed meerschaum but not on block."

 

[Kyle Weiss]

Kyle,

Your right as far as the weight difference etc between the block and pressed Meerschaum. I think the reason people believe the opposite (pressed is lighter then block) is because of the word block and subliminally they think heavy, denser and less porous.

This makes sense. I guess I have a leg-up on understanding the structure of sepiolite a little more than most joes.

8)