Calabash Meerschaum
Just got in a new calabash/meerschaum pipe! I'm excited - it's my first of its type.
They're a lot bigger than they appear, but I've already put 4 bowls through it and I'll say that it's definitely a cooler smoke and I feel like I'm getting more flavors out of the tobacco (I also like the colors the meerschaum is already starting to turn).
Anyone else into these???
Jim
I have two of these that I bought from a man who had them for about 15 years apiece. Mine are made from a ghord. One is a smaller one and the other is pretty big. They are starting to color which is awesome. By far the best pipes to smoke hotter pipe blends. These are a must if you can find them. I have noticed its easier to find a briar one, but the ghord ones are cool too.
Nate
Yeah mine's a gourd one too - a lot lighter than I thought when the bowl isn't in it! The color change is already starting... do you know how long it typically takes for the bowl to completely yellow/orange out?
Jim
It's seeing pipes like this that REALLY make me want to start smoking a pipe! I think this is going to be a New Year's Resolution!
Hahaha! Well, after your New Year's resolution post, I was gonna send you a PM on these... but looks like you already found this thread!Originally Posted by njstone
I'm REALLY enjoying this pipe! I've but a ton of bowls through it and the color is starting to come out, but not yet around any edges. Either way... it's definitely a cooler smoke and I'm bummed I didn't discover them sooner.
True they're more expensive that your average pipe (at least 100-300 bucks for a good one - but think of that as a box of smokes)..... but I wish I would've spent the money on one of these a long time ago!
I discovered what appears to be a pretty good one for about 90 bucks if you're interested in the source.
Jim
It takes a little while of good pretty much daily smoking. However, I was not referring to the meershem coloring. I was referring to the gourd. After years and years and more years of smoking through it, it will turn into a beautiful black. Imagine that, a black gourd, with. Pink/orange top. Pretty sweet if you ask me. I saw an old man who had one like that and it was sexy.
Nate
What are the benefits of gourd vs wood?
That is one good looking pipe. I am always looking to add another one to my small collection so far. Mind if I ask where you got it or where I could get one like that?
Oh really?! I didn't know that! The inside of the gourd is already turning a little darker... but I had no idea the gourd itself would transition at all. That's awesome!
I did run into my first problem...... I've been smoking it so much, the tip of the meerschaum bowl insert got a little soft and brown and some of the meerschaum came off when I ran a pipe cleaner through it. Apparently, this is common if you smoke it regularly... and I was supposed to notice first and I guess light it on fire to harden it up? Anyway...... lesson learned... I don't think it's bad enough where it's going to affect the smoking, but I'm already looking for a new bowl insert just in case. I'm a newbie with something all over again!
To be honest... the look! They also say calabash gourds are best for long term strength and they're lighter than their wooden counterparts, so you can still hold the pipe in your mouth without chipping a tooth; haha. Truth, though... the gourds just look really nice.
I actually found these all over the place when I started looking. Cheapest I found was 90 for a starter one... the vast majority lie between 150 and 250... and then you can get crazy with estate pipes and custom jobs all the way out to 2500. Ebay might not be a bad start if you're not in a rush too. If you want the place I found the 90 at, drop me a PM.
Jim
Brebbia has some Mer lined billiards I need to invest in.
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