Let's Look At Meerschaum Pipes

This video tells the viewer a little bit of information about the meerschaum pipe

[@wadehampton1534]

Muttnchop piper, I've been smoking a pipe since 1979, and just recently found your channel. As per your request, I would be delighted to post my comments, in regards to helping the new guys and gals along. Like you, Muttnchop, I don't know everything about smoking pipes, but I do have decades of experience with them. I admire what you're doing, and if there is anything I might be able to do, to fill in the gaps, I will be happy to help out. Ahh.. Meerschaum! I'm somewhat of a Meerschaum Aficionado. I apologize in advance, for the lengthy comments that follow, but I have a 40 year history smoking these delightful pipes, and there is a lot to know about them, to get the best results. They are a completely different animal than your briar pipes, and therefore require a different type of attention. Firstly, there are Block Meerschaum pipes, and Composite Meerschaum pipes. The former is desirable (if you want the pipe to color), the latter is not. When buying a meerschaum pipe online, carefully read the description. If it reads "Meerschaum and other Natural Minerals", it is a Meerschaum Composite pipe. This means that it is made from ground up scrap meerschaum and pressed together with white clay. These pipes are half as expensive as Block Meerschaum Pipes, are just as pretty to look at, take the same skill to carve, but they will never color beyond the blackening of the bowl. Secondly, my experience with meerschaum lined briar bowls has been less than stellar. Here's why; briar expands and contracts during and after a smoke, the meerschaum does not. It inevitably leads to the meerschaum lining cracking, and eventually coming off in chunks. They're great while they last, but that is what happened to me with this style of pipe. It didn't happened overnight, but over course of several years to, perhaps with limited use, a decade. I've not had one that held up over any significant amount of time. *Care and maintenance* Meerschaum pipes smoke very dry, with almost no problem with gurgling (if the tobacco is at the proper moisture content). They can also be smoked without resting in between smokes, and since both the mortise are tenon are Teflon, you can even take the stem off while the pipe is warm. The mortise is screwed into the shank of the pipe, so always remove AND replace the stem, by gently pulling (pushing when replacing) and turning it clockwise. This will keep the mortise from unscrewing from the shank. Unscrewing the mortise more than necessary (as in replacing a broken stem) causes excessive wear on the threads inside of the shank. Clean the stem, like you would any other pipe stem, but do not use alcohol or any other fluid to clean the mortise or air hole in the pipe. Instead just use dry pipe cleaners, but avoid damaging the bottom of the bowl, by not gouging it with the end of the pipe cleaner. Do not allow any carbon cake to build up inside of the bowl. The pipe will not color if a carbon cake is present. A carbon cake that is allowed to get too thick, can actually crack the pipe. This is because the carbon cake expands when it is hot, the meerschaum does not. I keep the cake from building up by twisting a rolled up paper towel into the bowl after each smoke. If cake does eventually build up, I use a bit of fine grained sandpaper, to gently sand back down to the blackened meerschaum. Do not use a reemer, it can gouge the meerschaum or crack the pipe. Your pipe has been impregnated with beeswax by the factory. This is what gives your pipe it's natural sheen, but in time, they can dull. Some manufacturers recommend re-waxing your meerschaum pipe every year, but I've always just waited until they lose their natural shiny appearance. Some got dull looking in less than a year, but the majority of mine took longer than a year to dull. It mostly depends on the amount of wax that was in the pipe from the factory, and the amount of use a particular pipe got. Here's how to re-wax your meerschaum pipe : Use a hair dryer to heat the beeswax so that it’s not liquid, but easy to spread. Smear the bowl onto the beeswax cake, and try not to use your fingers. Start smoking to heat up the meerschaum pipe until the wax turns to liquid. The heat will promote absorption of the wax into the pipe. Use cotton swabs to paint the surface of the pipe evenly with the wax, ensuring that you coat every crevice of the bowl’s design. Be sure to avoid dripping wax into the bowl itself. Heat the bowl again to ensure that it’s absorbed, then lay it on an old cloth or towel to cool. When it’s cooled, polish the pipe with the towel and then a flannel cloth. ** *My personal experience with meerschaum pipes* While the majority of my pipe collection is briar, meerschaum pipes have a very special place in my heart. I am retired Army, and was fortunate enough to have served several overseas assignments, a short tour (2 years) in Turkey was one of them, when I was still a very young man. I came home with a large collection of block meerschaum pipes, that have real amber stems. Amber was commonly used in meerschaum pipes a long time ago, but has since been replaced with acrylic, in all but the highest end meerschaum pipes today. Amber is quite fragile, and I've had to replace a couple of broken amber stems with acrylic. Most of the pipes that I brought home are large carved bearded heads, of historic Turkish significance. My largest meerschaum pipe is a mermaid on the bow of a ship. It still stubbornly refuses (except for the shank) to show the slightest bit of color, after 40 years of being smoked. Unbeknownst to me at the time I bought them, is that these large meerschaum pipes can take a generation (or two) to color in completely. It was a source of frustration at first, but it is what it is, and I'll be leaving it for the next guy to see these through to fruition. So... I did bring back a few of, and have bought several since, the traditional shaped meerschaum pipes. Mine are familiar shapes with thin walled lattice carved bowls, very much like the one that you have there, Muttnchop. They also come in smooth traditional shapes. Now these are the ones that color in much more quickly, the lattice quicker than the smooth. The lattice pipes begin showing color very quickly, often after just a few bowls, in the holes in lattice, and in the shank (the shank is the first part of all meerschaum pipes to show real color). I can get some really nice, and full color in one of these pipes, in just a couple of years. It's because there is much less meerschaum for the tars to soak into, that this style of meerschaum pipe colors much quicker. My favorite is an SMS bent billiard lattice churchwarden, it's got the mojo! I have had good luck with getting the smaller sculptured pipes (ie: carved heads) to color fairly quickly as well. As long as they are roughly the size of a billiard pipe, they can color in nicely in a couple of years. A method I stumbled upon, for getting the quickest color out of any meerschaum pipe, is to smoke it two weeks on, two weeks off. It sounds counter intuitive, but your pipe will color much quicker than if you just smoke it daily. Smoke your meerschaum pipes every day, at least two bowls a day, for two weeks. Then set it aside, in the case if you have one. This allows the tar to relax and migrate into the wax, and soak deeper into the pipe. Your pipe will color more evenly this way too. Of course the more you smoke it during its time on, the quicker it will color. The initial color is pinkish, then tan. A fully colored meerschaum is a funny thing, the tobacco tars are in constant (slow) motion. The colors will change as well, taking on deep reds and orange, as well as the different shades of brown and black. Every time I smoke one of my fully colored pipes into my rotation, it looks different from when I rested it. Color patterns change, and colors mix into total new colors. It's a remarkable thing. You will hear and read a lot of misinformation regarding handling a meerschaum pipe, while smoking it. I've heard and read that you should hold the pipe by the stem while smoking, or even worse using gloves. This is not practical nor is it enjoyable. All that is really necessary, if you want good coloring, is to smoke your meerschaum pipe with clean dry hands, and avoid getting it dirty or wet. I actually had a friend whos wife thought to surprise him, by cleaning his meerschaum pipes with a toothbrush and soapy water! Needless to say, that didn't go over too well with my buddy! I've visited a few of places, in Turkey, where the meerschaum pipes were being carved. The artist carves the pipe over a bucket of water, and he/she constantly dips the pipe into the water, to keep it soft enough to carve. Once the pipe is finished, it is kiln dried, and soaked in molten beeswax. The wax permeates the entire pipe, and it is the wax that carries the the color, as the tars replace it slowly. An unwaxed meerschaum pipe colors extremely slowly, and is also extremely fragile. The wax helps to strengthen the meerschaum, until the tobacco tars can soak in. Brand new meerschaum pipes are fragile (especially the thin walled lattice shapes), and much care should be taken to not drop them onto a hard surface or object. New thin walled pipes can actually shatter if they hit a tiled floor. The big carved heads and and other large sculptured meerschaum pipes fare a little better, but you can easily dent or knock the nose or head dress off your Sultan, or the claw off your eagle claw pipe. The good news is, that the more you smoke your meerschaum pipe, the harder it will get! As the tobacco tars impregnates the meerschaum, it firms the pipe up. A fully colored pipe can be rock hard and very difficult to break, but that doesn't mean that you can ever be careless with ANY pipe. These little chimneys bring us great joy, and deserve our respect and admiration. But then again, you already know that ;

[@ruthy8ruthy]

Thank you for sharing your experiences with us

[@gabbyhayes1568]

This was marvelous. Thank you for posting this.

[@chriscon8463]

Thanks, Wade! I was at Incirlik AB in Turkey for 2 months in ‘02; I brought back 2 block Meer pipes for myself, and gave 3 to my friends. They are beautifully carved, as you described. I think I paid about $12 each.

[@davidthomasmartin1075]

Hi Wade, I hope you're well. I have my Dad's Meerschaum pipe. He passed away in 2000. It must be almost 50 years old. I've recently begun smoking a pipe and collecting different pioes and tobacco's. I can't smoke my Dad's pipe because the stem or mouth piece is loose and here leads to my question. How do repare or replace the mouthpiece? I read that there is a thread inside the bowl part. I am worried that this is damaged rendering the pipe not smokable. Please help me to resolve my pipe problem as I would really pay tribute to my beloved Dad by smoking his pipe again. It ia a genuine block Meerschaum with the word "BELT" inscribed on the side. Best regards David.

[@wadehampton1534]

@@davidthomasmartin1075 you can find replacement stems and fittings at royalmeerschaum.com look in the accessories page for pipe stems and fittings. The fittings are universal, and fit even very old meerschaum pipes. The regular size stem fits most medium to large meerschaum pipes. You'll be honoring your fathers memory in no time. I've put these stems and fittings on half a dozen different pipes (mostly 40+ years old, with no problems

[@umuttekin9764]

Pipe smoker from Turkey here. Eskisehir is not a coastal town. "Luletasi" is the Turkish name for Meerschaum. The spongy consistency is a bit of a stretch but it is relatively soft. That's why it can be shaped. It is quite porous. The fancy shaped ones are for Tourists. We prefer the regular shapes like Poker, Billiard or Bulldog. Nice story. Love the channel.

[@theblishknovk]

I like the squashed tomato and pot shaped meerschaums. Simple designs. Hoping to make ot to Turkey someday.

Cheers from Turkey too, Any particular place you may recommend to purchase one?

[@umuttekin9764]

Sorry to say that good quality Luletasi is hard to come by. Most of the stuff they sell is actually broken or crushed stone pressed into molds and shapes as pipes. Good quality ones are sold to US and Europe. Anything that costs less than 150 € is most probably not the real deal. It shouldn't have any lines on it. Should be very white and not waxed on the surface. Otherwise it does not breathe which is the whole point of it. There is a center in Eskisehir with a couple of artisans. You have to chat a little bit to find the original stuff. It costs a little but it is worth it. Luletasi (Meerschaum) are not for beginners. If you smoke too fast and keep it too hot, the pipe will in time have an uneven shade of amber even brown. If you are a seasone pipe smoker, you will get an even overall amber color in a couple of years.

[@davidgerber3970]

Just started watching your videos and they are always informative and entertaining.You have a laid back and homespun way of delivering your message that really is enjoyable.Wish you could make more videos! Thanks Dave

[@jesslanders1700]

Thank you for the video, Mr. Chopps. I just bought my first meerschaum pipe and I will tell you...I love it. Simple, beautiful, and smokes amazing. Such a perfect shape and design. Light, thin, and literally disappears from thought and hand. I look forward to the long quiet time it will take to color it. Thank you.

[@lochlainnmacneill2870]

Hi Muttonchops, Greetings from the Outer Hebrides, Scotland. Really enjoy your videos. I have been smoking a pipe for around 45 years or so. I only have two Meerschaums. Watching them colour is like watching hair grow! Patience is indeed a virtue.

[@gnosticnight]

I've been a new/intermediate pipe smoker for 45 years. Just discovered your channel, and enjoy it very much.

[@brettbricker1810]

Picked up a Savinelli 320 based off of your videos. Can't believe it took me this long. Simply awesome. Thanks!

[@MuttnchopPiper]

Brett Bricker - you're welcome my friend, I love mine. 👍👍👍

[@jasipper]

Beautiful meerschaum! I have several in my collection. Enjoy!

[@GHOST-hy2cu]

1st time pipe smoker and I love it. I love this channel and have learned so much thank you keep up the great work.

[@MuttnchopPiper]

Ghost Leader - You bet my friend. 👍👍👍

[@80brax04]

Hilarious story! Glad that I finally got around to this video and the amount of laughter I got at the end was a bonus.Thanks Muttonchop!

[@MuttnchopPiper]

80brax04 - Dishwasher, I still laugh about it to this day. Lol, lol. 😃😃😃

[@pareshdeshpande9933]

Sir, 1. Thanks to your valuable guidance and helping me to understand the nuances of pipe smoking through your videos, I had my first pipe smoke today!!!! 2. What an experience!! I have smoked two bowls since morning( IST) and thoroughly enjoyed them. As suggested by you, I smoked Captain Black Royal and followed your instructions on how to fill a pipe. Suffice to say that the fill was spot on both times and by using the breathing method of pipe smoking, no over heating of pipe and no tongue bite!!!!! 3. Thank you once again for helping me to smoothly enter the realms of pipe smoking. Regards, Paresh

[@MuttnchopPiper]

Paresh Deshpande - You’re the reason I do this, your success is my success. Congrats. 👍👍👍

[@daspiper8941]

I no longer consider myself a new pipe smoker, I now think of myself as an intermediate pipe smoke. I still have much to learn and having fun learning; you Sir are one of my favorite teachers.

[@MuttnchopPiper]

Das Piper - Thank you my friend, that’s very kind of you to say. 👍👍👍

[@toybokz2]

Such a respectable chap. God bless you man.

[@jerrymoyers7496]

Yes, I have just deep cleaned my pipes. Wow, they were horrible, but now they are clean. I am watching, listening, and learning how to perfect the joy of pipe smoking. Thank you

[@pappapete130]

I am a new pipe smoker, I absolutely enjoy all of your videos my freind. thank you for passing your knowledge on to others. happy piping to you and your family as well.

[@MuttnchopPiper]

Zack Peterson - Zack, I appreciate the kind words, and I am pleased that my videos have helped you in your great pipe smoking adventure. 😃😃😃

[@samsilva3782]

just found this channel yesterday. I love your videos.

[@MuttnchopPiper]

Sam Silva - thank you my friend. 👍👍👍

[@starwolf2125]

Thank's for this great video. I smoked my first pipe for the first time to celebrate my 30th BDay and decided I liked it and want to try it again. I decided to start with Captain Black regular. It was the kind of tobacco my dad used to smoke in his pipes and it made me think of some very good memories. Your videos are filled with great information that I find useful and very interesting!

[@MuttnchopPiper]

Dimitri Balerinas - Thank you my friend, and congratulations on starting your adventure in pipe smoking, I envy you a bit, because you are at the beginning, and have a ton of things to discover. Be well my friend. 🎃🎃🎃

[@bandicoot5412]

Always good, and informative, and most of all, your a leveler, you maintain a steady level, and it projects. Grateful appreciation!

[@MuttnchopPiper]

Bandicoot - thank you my friend that's kind of you to say. 👍👍👍

[@mirza8118]

Hi there. Thank you for all your insight on pipe smoking. It helped me a lot as a new smoker❤️❤️

[@simonsmith6053]

I honestly had a sharp intake of breath and clasped my hand to my mouth when you mentioned the dishwasher! 🤣

[@Codyjb888]

When you by a meershaum pipe, make sure it's made out of Block Meerschaum. Which means it is made out of one piece, or one hole block. Makers will also made a pipe out of left over shavings by a glueing process which can be an inferior product. Pipes should have a stamp or papers identifing it as a Block Meershaum.

[@MuttnchopPiper]

MadMiner235 - thanks for that info my friend. 🎃🎃🎃

[@RonanKearney1]

I love your calm demeanour

[@challengerdart3731]

Great vid as always Chris. Congrats. Thanks a lot.

[@MuttnchopPiper]

Challenger Dart - you're welcome my friend. 🎃🎃🎃

[@insightvideo6136]

Love this channel.

[@MuttnchopPiper]

Insight Video - Thank you my friend, i appreciate the compliment. 👍👍👍

[@raywalsh117]

Thanks for your sage videos

[@pareshdeshpande9933]

Sir, I followed your suggestions and the issue of moisture has been resolved. Thanks again.

[@MuttnchopPiper]

Paresh Deshpande - That’s great, I’m glad to hear it. 👍👍👍

[@potatokitty]

The most beautiful and delicate pipes you can get for a special occasion.

[@barbedwirepiper2403]

Can we see an update on the coloring of this pipe? Would love to see it.

[@cg-yk7ng]

I love your channel and content. I’m new to the world of pipes and if at the end of the road it’s not my thing.I will still follow your channel for the passion for pipes and common sense tips on being a gentleman in the modern age.

[@MuttnchopPiper]

christian g - Thanks Christian, I’m sorry Pipe smoking didn’t work out. 😏😏😏

[@HallertauRogue]

Love all your vids. This one is no exception. Your preferences of pipes and tobacco are very much on my wavelength. I too prefer the rusticated Sav 320 KS shape to all my pipes (Savinelli, Peterson, Stanwell and Big Ben). Wanted to thank you for your hard work excellent educational approach.

[@MuttnchopPiper]

Nathan Einsig - you're welcome my friend, and thank you for your kind words. 👍👍👍

[@ThePipeNook]

I've never had a Meerschaum until recently. picked one up at the Nashville pipe meetup, and intend to put it in my rotation soon!

[@MuttnchopPiper]

The Pipe Nook - yeah, this is the first one I have smoked in years, I'm really looking forward to it. 🎃🎃🎃

[@mountainpick14]

Small world my friend, I bought a meerschaum pipe TODAY and SCHWABS in Lexington. I love your videos. Keep on keepin’ on!!!

[@MuttnchopPiper]

Joshua Cantrell - Thank you my friend, he has a pretty sweet set up there at Schwabs, I worked there when they were at their old location in woodhill shopping center, but I think the new location is better. 👍👍👍

[@bveracka]

I was just looking at that exact pipe in the shelf over your left shoulder; a Savinelli I believe. It's a beauty. Meerschaum in the dishwasher, I'm ROFL! As always thanks for the great videos MCP. Regards from Cape Cod!

[@Herberberber]

My grandfather was in the French Navy and smoked a Meerschaum Nautilus he bought while in port at Istanbul. We still have this very special pipe.

[@MuttnchopPiper]

Dr. Death - WOW, that’s Awsome. 👍👍👍

[@xfacter75]

I have subscribed to your channel I do appreciate your detail and attitude that most pop smokers either salve or come to collect over time

[@darronmorgan4175]

New pipe smoker here. Enjoyed the video sir. When I was TDY to Eskisehir Turkey back in 1982 I bought a miershaum pipe because I liked the way it looked. Never have smoked it. I just recently found an old briar pipe that belonged to my Grandfather so I decided to give it a try. 😁😁 Very enjoyable. Thank you for the informative videos. They're very helpful. Happy piping.

[@MuttnchopPiper]

Darron Morgan - In 1983 I was in Beirut and I got to go to 2 places, one was Athens Greece, and the other was Izmir Turkey, I made it to Greece, but about 2 days into our journey to Turkey, there was trouble I Beirut, so I never made it. I had saved my money for 2 months, my plan was to buy meerschaum pipes cheap in Turkey and bring them back and hopefully sell them to a local pipe store, but I never made it. 😖😖😖

[@darronmorgan4175]

@@MuttnchopPiper I wish I'd known more about pipe smoking and pipes back then. I would have definitely bought more of them.

[@kyled9203]

Big fan of your channel. From Lex Ky here

[@darrellynbarrett1077]

Thank you for the knowledge that you have I am a beginner female pipe smoker and your insights have been invaluable. Thank you!

[@MuttnchopPiper]

Darrellyn Barrett - you are a rarity these days, I’m glad you are finding our club a help. 👍👍👍

[@darrellynbarrett1077]

Hey! Muttonchop thanks for the reply. I've watched many of your videos and I am so glad to have a mentor. I enjoy your videos you are truly a gentleman. I do have a question, I've watched your recommended tobaccos and I am so sad that there is no more Frog Morton on the Town do you have any suggestions for a similar tobacco for a subsitution?

[@MuttnchopPiper]

Darrellyn Barrett - On the town was an Oriental forward English blend, my favorite tobacco in this category is G.L. Pease Maltese Falcon, give that one a try as a substitute. 👍👍👍

[@darrellynbarrett1077]

Thank you! I've got that one so onward I go.

[@pecktecksiong2468]

A clock? Hope you enjoy making these videos as much as we enjoy watching.

[@MuttnchopPiper]

Peck Tecksiong - Correct, and I do my friend, I do. 👍👍👍

[@Petox20x]

I was thinking a horse. The height of a horse is measured in hands... but I guess a clock is a better answer.

[@J-DSPIPEDREAMS]

my wife and I enjoy your channel, thank you for your dedication and hard work, we just started our YTPC channel and its allot of fun.

[@jamie.777]

Again, thank you for all the tips! A month in I am getting such great smokes, sipping the smoke! Also got me a 320 oceano, dang that pipe smokes so awesome. Last few days I have even got the silky smoke going, pipe barely lit and sipping away a head full of worries. I am 44, father of 3 girls ages 17, 15, and 9. We also got our 2 year son, the prince.. so my head and nerves are shot, nice to have my pipe , it's my shrink....hahA

[@MuttnchopPiper]

jamie bairos - That’s a great pipe...Wow, you have got a lot on your plate, it’s nice to have solace in Pipe Smoking. 👍👍👍

[@RevTakahashiFan]

Smoked first bowl out of a meerschaum church warden. It was just heavenly, and way better than even corncob. Especially with English blends or non aromatics, it smoked cooler and dryer than any pipe I’ve used. No flavor contamination like during the break in period of a corn cob and produced a very delicious smoke; hope to see an update with your reaction.

[@robertblanks9602]

Another good one Chris. I myself have two meerschaums-from turkey I bought when I was over there in the Navy, and I have two others that were given me. These pipes made are very absorbing. That’s how they pull the oil‘s from the tobacco into themselves and color. I saw one video from an actual European fellow, who had many. in the video, He weighed one, Then put it in water for the duration of the video, then pulled it out and weighed it again It had stored four ounces of water. He said all he has to do is let it sit out and It will dry completely so you can put them in water but not a dishwasher ha ha.

[@MuttnchopPiper]

Robert Blanks - That’s very interesting info my friend, thanks for passing it along. 👍👍👍

[@aiarch]

Found your channel about a month ago. I say you have done great work. I have been smoking a pipe since 2001 but never had a Meerschaum. Just bought one today and guess what: this video pops up in my feed 😀

[@mhlaw229]

Another good, informational video! Thanks again buddy

[@MuttnchopPiper]

Mr Cat approves - it's my pleasure my friend. 😃😃😃

[@D35611]

Chris, I have a method of coloring my meers, using cigar smoke. I simply remove the stem, and place the pipe in a small Tupperware style container with a piece of paper towel in the bottom of the container. The paper towel prevents the pipe from sliding around, and preventing the smoke residue inside the container from piling up unevenly on the pipe. If I smoke a cigar every day, I can complete the process in about 3 months. I simply crack the lid slightly, and gently exhale cigar smoke inside the container. It may seem like a long time to devote for some folks, but it will allow you to build an even coloring on the pipe, and never need to worry with the issues of handling the pipe with bare hands. Once you get a base coloring going from the outside, the pipe will begin to color normally from the inside, once you begin smoking. As usual, the shank will color darker first, but the process will leave your pipe more evenly colored than smoking alone. I have found the best results coloring plain white meers, instead of the yellow colored beeswax versions. Also, the best results tend to be with carved meers, instead of smooth versions. The carved meer tends to give the pipe a better chance to hang on to the external coloring, without it wearing off eventually from handling.

[@MuttnchopPiper]

D35611 - thanks for that added information my friend. 👍👍👍

[@ColtJustice]

I prefer to just smoke the pipe and let it color naturally.

[@fredcrook8228]

Just discovered your channel and vids last week and have been enjoying, but the dishwasher incident? EPIC. :D

[@MuttnchopPiper]

Frederick H. Crook, Author - I agree, I thought he was messing with me at first, but after talking to him for a few minutes, I realized, no he really did it. 👍👍👍

[@jsirnick1]

Excellent video and funny story! I've got two meers that I smoke at least one bowl apiece in every day. The Meerschaum Depot (bent apple) pipe just seems to be turning golden evenly all over, while the Altinok (slight bent billiard) has a very nice, deep, brown color on the stem only after 6 months. I smoke a variety of blends in both pipes, as they don't seem to ghost in any way. I believe that each block of meerschaum has it's own characteristics and will color differently in their own time and own way. I still enjoy my briar and morta pipes but will always have a meer close at hand. Good luck with yours and I hope you grow to enjoy the smoking experience and the coloring process over time.

[@MuttnchopPiper]

jsirnick1 - I'm excited to see what my meer will look like in a year. 😃😃😃

[@matsuyorei]

Answer to the paper......tyrannosaurus rex

[@MuttnchopPiper]

Brandon Dudley - that would fit, but not what I'm looking for, thanks for playing my little game. 🎃🎃🎃

[@matsuyorei]

clock works as well i suppose

[@djs8200]

i was thinking clock as well

[@BrandonsEpicAdventures]

to awnser the paper...a Clock...it has 2 hands but cannot clap

[@captgamedad]

Clock

[@EnchiladaMan360]

Early last month, I found a very large estate meerschaum bent billiard up for auction on eBay with an option to buy it for $19 instead of bidding. I chose to buy it, and it was well worth the cost of refurbishing it at my local B&M. I have smoked it six times since I bought it, and smokes in it have ranged from 1 hour and 37 minutes to 2 hours and 21 minutes thus far. The draw is nice and smooth, even though the draft hole is quite eroded due to its age and very heavy use by the previous owner, the seller's grandfather. The bowl features a hand carved nature scene, and there is a silver band at the joint between the shank and the stem that is only slightly tarnished. It is my new favorite pipe, and I am smoking it right now as I type this.

[@EnchiladaMan360]

I love my two meerschaums. I have one that is a full size bent billiard with a latticework finish that it my favorite to use on days that I do a lot of smoking. I must have smoked 9 or 10 bowls in it over the first two days after I bought it, and I usually smoke at least three or four bowls in it on the days it is in the rotation. I use my smaller one when I only have around 30 minutes to get a smoke in, or when I am testing new blends. They are both still pure white on the outside, but the bent billiard is now a rich dark brown on the inside of the bowl, and the bowl of the smaller one is a rich, vibrant amber.

[@MuttnchopPiper]

Raymond Lisle - That’s Cool, sounds like your on your way. 👍👍👍

[@MisterChris1978]

I think many of us would love to see an update on your meerschaum pipe coloring.

[@MuttnchopPiper]

Briar Bear - I just started working on it January 2nd of this year, couldn’t bring myself to ruin that alabaster color, but I have now. 👍👍👍

[@NTHunt]

We need a new update! It's been 4 years

[@MiguelManara3]

thanks for the videos... i learnt a lot! 😆 P.S. would love to see an update video regarding the pipe colour!

[@brettcody76]

I can see your Savinelli Quandale in the background! That is such a handsome pipe!

[@joycekoch5746]

I think my lungs and teeth are coloring faster than my meershaum pipe.

[@MuttnchopPiper]

Joyce Koch - Lol, Lol, I bet, it would surprise me, lol. 👍👍👍

[@raghavtalwar9899]

A dishwasher? Just made my day...

[@MuttnchopPiper]

Raghav Talwar - we must of laughed about that for a year, and it was worse when the dude came in the shop smoking the thing. 👍👍👍

[@Alswin2777]

I really enjoyed the video and I got a laugh out of the part about the dishwasher.

[@MuttnchopPiper]

Alswin2777 - you saw me in the video, I still laugh when I think about seeing him walk into the shop with a pipe that looked like leopard, some spots looked like they were burnt they were so dark. 👍👍👍

[@johnthomas5806]

was stationed in country of Turkey, bought some at what I thought a low price and sold them for a large profit in southern Texas and even then thought that new owner would make a profit on them...

[@GTFiorano]

you may not know everything but you sure present it like a proper master. really enjoy your channel. by the way. oh and a clock has hands but cannot clap.

[@MuttnchopPiper]

GTFiorano - correct on the clock, and thank you for your kind words my friend. 🎃🎃🎃

[@80brax04]

Clock. Another great video!

[@MuttnchopPiper]

80brax04 - Correct, and thank you. 👍👍👍

[@paulthescandinavian4992]

Good Morning Dear Chris,in past I had that meerschaum and one Calbass pipe,both which I eventually traded off because i was thinking they are making my smoke too weak, but now when I think of this over again, perhaps I shouldn't do this,because I remember loving the sweetey and most importantly dry tobacco taste when I was smoking these,perhaps I ought to acquire one new of theses in the future,something like yours in this video, nevertheless,no descent meerschaum cost less than $100 but they can be ordered directly from turkish pipe sellers if one can not afford new meerschaums like say Petersons. Have a nice week ahead and Thanks again, It was My Pleasure,Greets, Paul

[@PreachermanPiper]

You know I was feeling pretty good till I heard you say you have 30 years experience with pipe smoking. Whew now I really feel old. I have had 54 years experience in pipe smoking. Thanks for driving me into deep depression. LOL LOL LOL LOL A clock has hands and it can't clap. So glad to see another video. Hope all is well with you.

[@MuttnchopPiper]

Doc Hatfield - Thanks Doc, you are the exact person I am referring to in the first part of my video, so if you have any knowledge you can part with, bring it on my friend. 🎃🎃🎃

[@quadrunner2124]

A clock

[@MuttnchopPiper]

Quadrunner - Correct. 😃😃😃

[@pareshdeshpande9933]

Dear Sir, 1. I really appreciate your humility, a virtue which is fast dying!!! May God bless you, Sir. 2. Also your empathy for others and concern for others can only come from selflessness. Great!!! 3. I really enjoy watching and learning from your videos....a real blessing for new pipe smokers like me. Regards, Paresh

[@MuttnchopPiper]

Paresh Deshpande - I am honored by your kind words my friend, thank you. 👍👍👍

[@pareshdeshpande9933]

Sir, 1. I have recently purchased five Estate pipe which will be reaching me in a couple of days. I have gone through your videos on deep cleaning of pipe as well as a couple of other videos on stem cleaning/ restoration. Based on these, I shall be undertaking necessary action. 2. However I need some help on the following issues:- (a) One pipe has a ding, not large but noticeable, on the rim due to banging against a hard surface(?). Any suggestion to get rid of it? May be recommend a video on this. (b) Secondly, I wish to clean the bowl down to it's wood. How should I go about it? What grit size sand paper should I use and what needs to be done. Any videos?? Regards, Paresh

[@MuttnchopPiper]

Paresh Deshpande - I’m sorry my friend but pipe restoration is a subject I know nothing about. But I am sure there are lots of KZbin videos on the subject, again I apologize, I just don’t want to give you bad advice, or damage your pipes. 😒😒😒

[@pareshdeshpande9933]

Sir, WISH YOU A HAPPY, HEALTHY AND PROSPEROUS 2018!!!!!

[@MuttnchopPiper]

Paresh Deshpande - You as well my friend. 👍👍👍

[@jeffpotter6428]

I love meerschaums. I bought my first one in 1963...It still smokes great...The coloring's not the main thing for me....It's more the taste and the coolness. I let cake build up too. That's supposed to be a no-no because it can crack the bowl...Letting a meer cool slowly with the doddle still in there helps to prevent a crack by cooling more slowly. I have some that are colored well but yes, it takes years and a lot of bowls....Some of the old ones, where the whole pipe is colored has either had coloring added or the meerschaum was of a quality not found today...I've read that oxblood was sometimes used.

[@GhostCob]

Good video and I wish Nothing but the best my friend.. take care and God Bless

[@MuttnchopPiper]

Shawn SAPHORE - thank you my friend. 🎃🎃🎃

[@oneoutdoorsman9376]

Meerschaum pipes have to be my favorite type to smoke.

[@Redherb1]

I've always considered getting a meerschaum pipe. Never would've guessed they were dishwasher safe xD. Thanks for the great story!

[@MuttnchopPiper]

Aaron Ferrell - I just think he got lucky, with my luck if I did that there would be a little pool of goo at the bottom of the dishwasher with a pipe stem sticking out of it. 🎃🎃🎃

[@stirlmc1]

How did your meerschaum pipe turn out? Did it color? I would love to see a follow up video of your thought or experience with it, regardless if it turned out or not. Thank you!

[@vjmeerschaum6125]

Great video! :)

[@martinjolly]

love your channel , your teaching a dying art

[@Maziz227]

I am from Turkey. Living in Hungary just started smoking pipe. Bought my first briar pipe. I knew about this meerschaum pipes but didn't know that it is quite special to my country. We call this "Lületaşı" actually means "pipe stone" or "puffing stone". I think i will buy one soon when i get back to my country.

[@UKPoliScience]

Would you consider doing a video on the cleaning and maintenance that these types of pipes require? Thank you

[@mclyker]

Update? Any color?

[@roberthodges1385]

Great information, I tried a pipe exactly like yours. I gave up on coloring.

[@soggyrice02]

Great story on the dishwasher.

[@MuttnchopPiper]

अवधूत Avadhūta - I still can't believe he did that to this day lol, lol 😃😃😃

[@423chriscampbell]

"a clock" just saying and your videos have been extremely helpful to me and I have passed along some to friends of mine

[@MuttnchopPiper]

Chris Campbell - correct, and I appreciate your support my friend. 🎃🎃🎃

[@MegaSnake76]

We call them loan sharks here in Australia . thanks for the info on Meerschaum pipes , I had been looking at getting 1 , but they seem a bit full on lol .

[@drayve8590]

That puts a whole new meaning to the “Sea Foam” name of meerschaum! Lmao, he put it in a dishwasher!!😂😂😂

[@mikeo2752]

Hi Muttnchop , Like the saying goes even a old dog you can teach a new trick , always informative , Thanks Mike

[@MuttnchopPiper]

Mike O - you're welcome my friend. 👍👍👍

[@TheAnticSits]

Pipe smokers have developed a great community.

[@ianmcdonald1418]

I have watched almost every one of your videos, great work man. I enjoy every video you have made, from the advice, to the stories and even the music and photos. There is no pipe club near Cornelius NC, so between you and StuffAndThings, you two are as close as I have to such. Also, thank you for your service, much honor man. Regarding meerschaum, there are ways of coloring them I have read about involving heat and beeswax (you can google this), which will spread the color around fairly evenly. I happen to disagree with that technique because the pipe will cease to absorb moisture at some point. I have a pipe which I tested with a hybrid method I came up with involving denatured alcohol (specifically the type denatured using methanol...NOT DENATONIUM BENZOATE...you can taste 3 molecules of that crap, and god it is bitter...so pay attention if you try this). Anyway, only do this if you want your pipe to get very dark, very fast. Smoke it until it begins to become noticeably brown somewhere (bowl needs to be black inside at the least). Of course as with all meer, you wipe the bowl interior after each smoke. When the pipe was hot I liberally applied Burts Bees chapstick (which also works wonders on briar when warm, provided you have either removed the finish or have an unfinished pipe) to the outside after each smoke until saturation, which is about one entire tube or so. This accelerated the coloration, and I did this until it stopped absorbing moisture. This I did not like, and the chapstick method was derived from an article I read in some magazine at Pipes By George in Raleigh NC. So, to nuke the wax, I used denatured alcohol of the fuel variety. I applied it first to the inside and let it soak to the surface, then did other things later like only hitting the outside. It fixed the moisture absorbtion and it is black as sin now. Mine became black very quickly....like the first time I did this with the alcohol, after having smoked it for a few months. I like it. Others may not. You can apply denatured alcohol to a qtip or cotton ball, or even dunk the whole thing. I am going to color my other meer the slow way, using only red VAs, because I dont want that one to be black. Please remember...do NOT use alcohol containing water and especially not denatonium benzoate...that is the same stuff that is in pet bitter spray and you really can taste only 3 molecules... some alcohol is denatured with it. Careful..

[@MuttnchopPiper]

Ian McDonald - first of all, thank you so much for the kind words it's appreciated, and second, thank you for the informative information, I hope other club members find the information useful. 👍👍👍

[@UKPoliScience]

I just got my first meerschaum pipe from Schwab's in Lexington. It's a small world!

[@Krishale357]

I am new to smoking pipes and love your videos.

[@MuttnchopPiper]

Kris hale - Thank you my friend. 👍👍👍

[@georgetiedemann2719]

Another great video muttnchop and a wonderful story. I always wanted to get a merchum pipe maybe now I will.

[@MuttnchopPiper]

George Tiedemann - they are beautiful pipes my friend, just beautiful. 👍👍👍

[@maurokertzer3726]

Sir, if I may, I would suggest a pure Virginia or a Vaper to get a quicker result. I agree with your choice for flavor.

[@alejvalencia1553]

Picked up my meerschaum in Turkey six years ago. Really liked that pipe , small bowl lattice. I loved the size, great for a ‘quick’ smoke. It had just started to colour and then I cracked it by tapping it on the heel of my hand - so don’t that folks 😐

[@mrfluffypants57]

One again an excellent video good sir!!

[@MuttnchopPiper]

Caleb T - thank you my friend. 👍👍👍

[@ollewahlroos7680]

I own 4 meers.Two turkish meers made from block, one made from African meerschaum. Personally I'll get taste ofsome sea water while smoking certain blends, I don't know why, I clean the bowl with cloth after smoke and etc. Best smoker to me is a Strambach Calabash, actually it is only Meer I use regulary. Best thing in meershaum pipes is that you can smoke several bowls without worries. Then there's briar bowls covered with meershaum but those are made from meershaum "dust"...some like those but I don't. I prefare briars,cobs and sometimes Falcons. This is my insight to subject. Thanks for video Chris and as always cool smokes,mate.

[@MuttnchopPiper]

Olle Wahlroos - I appreciate your insight my friend, any information you want to share that helps out our club members the better. 👍👍👍

[@parsonrick8030]

great story!

[@MuttnchopPiper]

ParsonRick - thank you my friend. 👍👍👍

[@inverted311]

Any updates on this pipe? And also, do you not have to worry about heating up the bowl as much with this material?

[@UnknownICECUBE]

I have owned a meerschaum pipe for about 2 years now. It was my first pipe and I love it. It still is mostly white. In my honest oppinion, if you're getting a meerschaum pipe just to see it color then buy a used one or don't buy one at all. Meerschaum pipes are great pipes because of how they smoke, and the way they look is a bonus.

[@MuttnchopPiper]

UnknownICECUBE - well said my friend, thank you. 🎃🎃🎃

[@johnstewart8767]

Great Video Muttnchop! Just ordered my Lee Van Cleef Pipe. Never had a Meerschaum before and the information you provided is wonderful. Wil you be updating us with your pipe and show us how the coloring has been going?

[@MuttnchopPiper]

John Stewart - congrats on your new purchase my friend. I hate to say it, but I have not started yet, every time I start to put tobacco in it, I just can’t get myself to do it, I love the way it looks right now, but eventually I will do it, I’ll force myself to. 👍👍👍

[@TheManInTheMasks]

Hi Muttnchop Piper. Great video! I asked a friend of mine from Turkey about the city you mentioned where a lot of Meerschaum comes from. Are you referring to Eskisehir? He mentioned that this isn't a coastal city, and I just wanted to let you know as an FYI. It's not too far from Istanbul. Keep making these kinds of videos!

[@michaelpage4199]

Great video Chris.... looking forward to seeing how it colors please share how often you smoke during the follow ups... I think you sign speaks of time..and yes this rhymes...its a clock now excuse me while I get my oboe out of the dishwasher Lol

[@MuttnchopPiper]

Michael Page - I will keep you informed my friend, now if you will excuse me, I have a computer that needs washing lol 👍👍👍

[@Mike1614b]

I started smoking a pipe 46 years ago. MP is doing good

[@xcptcronchx]

I just smoked one of these for the first time and I cannot get over it.

[@MuttnchopPiper]

Jp Coward jr - They are a great pipe, no mistake. 👍👍👍

[@kjmitchell3]

TO answer your riddle up there: "What has hands and can not clap?" - A CLOCK