Can You Repair Meerschaum Pipes?

AND

Meerschaum Pipes does not offer repairs

. Meerschaum pipes, in most cases are impossible to repair.

Are meerschaum pipes valuable?

Museum-grade antique meerschaum pipes go for $2,000 to $10,000

. Overall, high quality tobacco tins have appreciated more than 15 percent within the last 18 months, some selling for more than $1,000.

Do meerschaum pipes break?

Do I have to break in my Meerschaum pipe?

No

. Since Meerschaum does not burn as briar does, no protective carbon cake is needed on the inside of the bowl. To the contrary, the cleaner you keep your Meerschaum, the better it will smoke.

What are meerschaum pipe stems made of?

These high quality stems are made from

special multi-colored acrylic

. All replacement stems have a “tiger print” (marbled shades of amber and brown) approximately 3-3.5 inches long.

Can you burn out a meerschaum pipe?

As it ages, meerschaum colors a rich honey-brown, improving both in appearance and taste. Meerschaum Pipes – with a minimum of proper care – will last for a lifetime.

They will not burn out as briars do

.

How do you maintain a meerschaum pipe?

1. Fill the bowl to the top. …
2. Condition the beeswax finish. …
3. Prevent cake build-up. …
4. Smoking frequency increases the degree of coloring. …
5. Rotate your pipes. …
6. Use lots of pipe cleaners. …
7. Turn the stem clockwise to remove and reattach. …
8. Clean the stem periodically.

How can you tell if a meerschaum pipe is real?

The quality of meerschaum can be distinguished by

testing its porosity

. Rub a wet finger across the meerschaum, high quality meerschaum will absorb the moisture; low quality meerschaum will not.

How much does a meerschaum pipe cost?

Can you buy meerschaum?

One of the best ways to ensure you purchase a high quality meerschaum pipe is to

purchase it from a reputable retailer

.

What does meerschaum feel like?

The actual material density of meerschaum feels something like

a soapy light plastic

, but is in fact the result of the fossilization of tiny sea creatures shells its hardness is ranked 2 on the mohs scale of mineral hardness. It has no distinct smell, and is generally identifiable as a white to cream colored material.

What is special about meerschaum pipe?

Meerschaum is one of the most naturally porous substances in the world, which makes it perfect for pipes as it

absorbs the tars, oils, and nicotine in tobacco

. This allows for a cool, dry smoke that most smokers would say is unparalleled.

How can I tell if block meerschaum is pressed?

Lick your finger, touch the inside of the (unsmoked) bowl. If it feels sticky, it's block. If it doesn't, it's pressed

.

How hard is it to carve meerschaum?

Meerschaum is a very soft mineral when it's first mined, which means that

it's easy to carve

into just about any shape or design you can imagine.

Does meerschaum have ghost?

They do not ghost

. At all. Having said that, if you do not clean them (warm water under the tap and then allow to dry) you might get residual crud.

How long does it take for a meerschaum pipe to change color?

A sample ‘Coloring' regimen:

Smoke your meerschaum several times a day for

about two weeks

. Unlike a briar pipe, meerschaums do not need long periods of rest between smokes, and can safely be smoked multiple times in a day. Do, however, allow the pipe to cool between bowls.

Is meerschaum better than Briar?

Lightweight and Durable. Pound for pound,

meerschaum is more lightweight than briar

, so for those who prefer larger tobacco chambers, a meerschaum pipe will tend to be lighter and more comfortably clenched than one of briar of the same dimensions.

How often should you wax a meerschaum pipe?

To ensure that this process continues throughout the life of the pipe, you must occasionally wax your pipe. Many pipe lovers recommend that you wax your pipe

every few smokes

with beeswax, using a method like this one: The materials you'll need: Pure, white beeswax cakes.

What is block meerschaum?

Turkish Block Meerschaum has been renowned since the 1600s as

the incomparable material for the world's finest smoking pipes

. Meerschaum is lightweight, incombustible and very porous. It gives the truest taste of your tobacco, while providing a cool dry smoke.

How do you clean an old meerschaum pipe?

Are old pipes worth anything?

A clean, well-made pipe in good condition nearly always has value

, though markets can vary wildly by area. We've seen them sell for only $15, while others can go for upwards of $100. Still others, like a rare and pristine Dunhill can sell for thousands.

Where is meerschaum found?

Meerschaum (German pronunciation: [ˈmeːɐ̯ʃaʊ̯m], German for “sea foam”) is sometimes found

floating on the Black Sea

and is rather suggestive of sea foam (hence the German origin of the name, as well as the French name for the same substance, écume de mer).

Where can I find meerschaum?

Meerschaum is found in a handful of places around the world, but the most famous source for the stone is in and around the city of

Eskisehir in western Turkey

.