Peterson Sherlock Holmes meerschaum or briar?

[Aaron]

Anyone have any experience with Peterson's meerschaum pipes? I'm considering purchasing one from cupojoes but I'm not sure of the quality of the meer... Is it real block or pressed?

Would it be better to just go with the briar version? If so anyone know were I can find the darker version of the "Original" not rusticated?

Thanks guys.

Aaron.

 

[Midnight Blues]

Never smoked a Pete Meerschaum but I do have experience with Peterson's Holmes series in briar. I sent along a PM

 

[ftrplt]

I have one Pete meer in an author shape. It is pre-colored with a rough "rusticated' finish; I'm sure it's made from pressed meer. That said, it smokes well and is darn rugged for a meer!! I've dropped it on several occasions...no damage! I'm not a big Pete fan, so take this for what it's worth. If you're looking to buy a meer, there are better places/sites. JMHO.....FTRPLT

 

[bronxbill]

Aaron

If I'm not mistaken,(someone correct me if I am) Pete Meers are made from African Meersham which is somewhat different than the Turkish variety. I do know that it is supposed to be more durable than the Turkish type. I'm not sure of what the other differences are. Maybe someone else will chime in.

 

[ftrplt]

BB....I stand corrected! My Pete meer is made from the African meerschaum, not pressed as stated earlier!!! What was I thinking!!!!!!!!!! FTRPLT

 

[Aaron]

How is your Pete coloring? I heard there was a difference in the porosity between the two different types.

 

[Anonymous]

Turkish meerschaum (white and fine-textured) is illegal to export as raw material.

African meerschaum is tan mottled with brown, coarser and harder.

There's likely not much difference in taste.

:face:

 

[ftrplt]

My Pete meer has never changed color! It is what it is!!!! It is my understanding that only "Block Meerschaum" properly cut and dipped in beeswax will color. Meers cut in Europe (France and Vienna, Austria mainly) may be dipped in whale oil before the beeswax. I have visited the Turkish meer capital near Eskisehir several times (the Turkish Air Force has a large airbase there!). I don't believe I ever saw whale oil being used there. Be careful buying a meer made from "Viennese" meerschaum, as it is most likely pressed. The magic word is "Block!. ipe: FTRPLT

 

[Aaron]

my wife bought me a Turkish meer online for me from the same place my buddy who was in the Navy got his while he was in Turkey. www.sultanpipes.com 100% block meerschaum. And it is coloring quite nicely.

Sorry to hear yours isn't coloring, that really is a shame.

 

[ftrplt]

Aaron...My Pete meer is the tan/mottled brown African meerschaum. It's never going to color. Shoot, I've had it over forty years; looks the same as when I bought it!! Nature of the beast, so to speak!! FTRPLT

 

[Aaron]

ah ha I see I see.

 

[Anonymous]

Way back when, Turkish meers used to be finished with beeswax melted in hot sperm (-whale) oil.

Cheap ones (like the ones I got by mail order from Turkey in 1974) were, I think, dipped in the stuff, leaving it inside the bowl as well as outside.

Yuck tasting things.

:face:

 

[Aaron]

Hmm... I read that mine was dipped in bees wax. Never tasted bad to me. I dunno though, I don't smoke mine much anymore... I've moved back to the world of briar pipes.

 

[Winslow]

Peterson commisions a Turkish carver to make those "Sherlock Holmes" series
pipes in meerschaum,block meerschaum.They are not made in Ireland.
Those older Peterson meerschaums are calcined African meerschaum,hard as a rock and not much for taking any color.

Winslow :sunny:

 

[Anonymous]

Way back when, Turkish meers used to be finished with beeswax melted in hot sperm (-whale) oil.

Cheap ones (like the ones I got by mail order from Turkey in 1974) were, I think, dipped in the stuff, coating the inside of the bowl as well as the outside.

Yuck tasting things.

:face: