Traveling to Turkey - What to look for in Meerschaum Pipes?eer

**dullblade** · 02-02-2011, 07:23 PM

Hey All

I'm leaving on a quick vacation to Istanbul in a few days and was hoping to pick up a few Meerschaum pipes for some friends (and myself).

Does anyone have any idea of what i should look for when looking them over? How can I tell the difference between a high quality and low quality (other than cost).

My pipe collection is stalling at two right now (a Kaywoodie Drinkless and a custom my wife had made for me) and I'm hoping to add a nice Meerschaum to remember the trip.

Thanks!

**dullblade** · 02-02-2011, 07:23 PM

Sorry for the post title typo.

**Argonaut** · 02-02-2011, 09:00 PM

Look for something made by Baglan, there is three or four master carvers in Turkey but I don't recall their names, Baglan is one of them. You should be able to find a good deal. Turkish merchants expect to haggle over prices so bring your 'A" game. I have never been there, but my wife has, the first price is a starting off point. Don't pay what they're asking, stand your ground and act superior to them, they will respect you for it and give you a better price. It's a culture thing, I learned this from dealing with convienience stores for a number of years. I mean no offense to anyone from this region, but you know what I'm talking about. It's free trade in it's purest form, I'll buy it for your lowest price. Here is an example of Baglans work from my own collection. Happy hunting!

**Argonaut** · 02-02-2011, 09:01 PM

Pic showed up upside down, sorry for the neck cramps.

**jwhite** · 02-02-2011, 09:39 PM

+1 on haggling but acting superior is a little misleading, indifferent to buying or doing buisness is perhaps a bit more accurate. Don't show direct interest in the object that catches your eye, don't point it out to whoever your with. Look generally at the wares being offered and get an idea over the type of starting prices the vendor is using by inquiring about items that you have no real interest in, this will help you keep emotion in check and get a feel for the seller. Be prepared to leave and check other sellers wares doing the same thing with them. When you've found something that you like , return to that vendor, ask them for a price remaining indifferent, whatever price they give offer them just over half. They will act offended and give you another number, split the difference and they will likely counter again. Leave, but don't rush out they will most likely offer another number, decide to buy or not. If they don't offer another number keep going and come back later and offer a little less than their final price most likely they'll accept. This will also work at flea markets and buying a used car here in the US.

Look at the quality of the carving and finish also look at the case. Carry some pipe cleaners to check the alignment of the drilling. Be critical in your assessment and use any niggling flaw you can find to drive down price, and if it happens to be perfect don't show excitement or outward pleasure until after the deal is done.

**dullblade** · 02-03-2011, 06:10 AM

Thanks for the advice. I've been there before so I've had the pleasure of negotating prices with the turks, it's half the fun.

Walking away usually works very well, but leaving and coming back a few times sort of tips them off that you're very interested. The best is to walk away after you've knocked down the price and be seen at a shop within eyesight after fifteen minutes, they'll usually come over and offer a lower price.

Turks are born merchants.

**Argonaut** · 02-03-2011, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by jwhite

+1 on haggling but acting superior is a little misleading, indifferent to buying or doing buisness is perhaps a bit more accurate. Don't show direct interest in the object that catches your eye, don't point it out to whoever your with. Look generally at the wares being offered and get an idea over the type of starting prices the vendor is using by inquiring about items that you have no real interest in, this will help you keep emotion in check and get a feel for the seller. Be prepared to leave and check other sellers wares doing the same thing with them. When you've found something that you like , return to that vendor, ask them for a price remaining indifferent, whatever price they give offer them just over half. They will act offended and give you another number, split the difference and they will likely counter again. Leave, but don't rush out they will most likely offer another number, decide to buy or not. If they don't offer another number keep going and come back later and offer a little less than their final price most likely they'll accept. This will also work at flea markets and buying a used car here in the US.

Look at the quality of the carving and finish also look at the case. Carry some pipe cleaners to check the alignment of the drilling. Be critical in your assessment and use any niggling flaw you can find to drive down price, and if it happens to be perfect don't show excitement or outward pleasure until after the deal is done.

Putting yourself in the position of controling the deal is what I should have said, not "act superior". It looks a little arrogant now that I've read it in the daylight, before partaking of bourbon.

Thanks for explaining it better jwhite, I hope I did not offend anyone.

**jwhite** · 02-03-2011, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by dullblade

Thanks for the advice. I've been there before so I've had the pleasure of negotating prices with the turks, it's half the fun.

Walking away usually works very well, but leaving and coming back a few times sort of tips them off that you're very interested. The best is to walk away after you've knocked down the price and be seen at a shop within eyesight after fifteen minutes, they'll usually come over and offer a lower price.

Turks are born merchants.

You're absolutely right. I was trying to encourage the idea of shopping around to work one vendor against the other and to get comfortable in the market aria, (particularly for the novice), before haggling in earnest but being prepared to leave once it has begun. Thanks for clarifying.

Have we answered your questions or is there more 'pipe specific' info you'd like?

Originally Posted by jmallen5

Putting yourself in the position of controling the deal is what I should have said, not "act superior". It looks a little arrogant now that I've read it in the daylight, before partaking of bourbon.

Thanks for explaining it better jwhite, I hope I did not offend anyone.

I understood what you meant and I don't think you were belittling anyone.

**Psicko** · 02-03-2011, 04:01 PM

As mentioned check the drilling. This also includes the bowl. You want the drilling to be centered in the bowl as well as at the bottom. I saw a beautiful meer that was a huge dragon that was amazing and expensive, but the draft hole was way off center. Baki is another carver over there.

http://bestmeerschaums.homestead.com/bakipipes.html

**Laney1566** · 02-06-2011, 08:45 AM

You are lucky Sir!!!

The only thing you need to decide is who's carving you like the most. Meerschaum is Meerschaum. It's a matter of the Carver's skills.
Of course the stem should be secured properly and drilled to center.

I am a BIG fan of Meerschaum pipes. Look for pipes that are different than the norm.(Eagle claws, Baccus, Etc.) Unless that is your thing. I would try to get pipes that you don't see often. Many Meers have a standard stem. The fully carved Meerschaum shanks are of high value. And quite beautiful. Those are what I would be concentrating on.