meerscham's have a harder time buidling a cake than briar does, so depending on size of the meers, it may burn hot for a while. Another thing is that the clay will obsorb the tobacco flavors like a spunge, so if you smoke mostly English and then switch to virginia, taste may be funky. The great thing about the meersch is that once it's broken in, its smokes great. And the more ya smoke the more the color will change and the over all look of the pipe. I've been looking for a meesch for a while with a dragon claw of some sort. Problem is I want a thick bowl, and most of those styles are 10-15 inches long. Way to huge for me. Looking for a smaller, thick bulldog style eagle/dragon claw. My vote, if this not your last pipe purchase ever, go with the clay!!!