Can Someone Help Me with Meerschaum?

**jdrum3** · 05-31-2012, 10:26 AM

Gentleman, I am new to this and I wanted your opinions on this pipe? Is it worth $50 or more? What do I need to look at for authenticity?
Thank you.

Click image for larger version.

Name: Meerschaum Pipe.JPG
Views: 101
Size: 76.4 KB
ID: 247619

**Commander Quan** · 05-31-2012, 11:05 AM

Check to see that the bit screws into the meerschaum tightly and sits straight. Other than that it looks to be in decent shape. $50 is about the highest I would consider paying for it if it was perfect. Offer $35 and see if you can meet in the middle somewhere.

**jdrum3** · 05-31-2012, 01:05 PM

Thank you for the info!

**morganjg** · 05-31-2012, 01:37 PM

Seems like a nice pipe for the price. Well colored, well kept, stem is nice and clean. I also would check to make sure the stem was nice and tight and screws all the way in. The price of Meerschaum has really skyrocketed the last few years, so while you might have been able to get that pipe new 5 years ago under $100, that would not be the case anymore. Nice smoking pipes though worth every penny

**Uncle Jackie** · 05-31-2012, 02:06 PM

I'd pay $50 for it in the drop of a hat. Just make sure there are no large cracks, especially where the stem meets the meerschaum and that the tenon is secure and not stripped.

**morganjg** · 05-31-2012, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by Uncle Jackie

I'd pay $50 for it in the drop of a hat. Just make sure there are no large cracks, especially where the stem meets the meerschaum and that the tenon is secure and not stripped.

+1. That pipe has clearly been well loved. You cant just buff up the clay pipes and get them clean. It would take years of smoking to get the color it has, I have been trying to achieve a good color on a lattice carved pipe for upward of 5 years.

**Slash McCoy** · 05-31-2012, 05:33 PM

If the mortise and tenon are not stripped and they are solid and you can separate the stem from the shank by clockwise twisting the stem and not unscrewing either part, and if there are no cracks where we can't see, and the stem has no serious bite marks, and it has a fitted case, it is well worth $50 IMHO. No case is a good bargaining chip. Oh, have the seller take the stem off for you to inspect the fittings. If you break it you buy it, is usually how it works, whether it was ready to break anyway or not.

If you get it and if coloring is important to you, always wash your hands before smoking or handling it. You could also use a "smoking glove" but that looks kinda gay. Try to find some meerschaum wax. If you can't find it, beeswax. Try melting and pouring some into an empty chapstick tube for convenience. The wax helps the pipe to color. Clean hands are a must because meer is very porous and stains easily, and the oil from your hand can retard the coloring process. Most meer smokers set a lot of store by how their pipe colors. Me, I never worried about that too much, because my pipes were primarily for smoking and not display. Your pipe. Don't let people rag you if you decide you don't care if it colors or not.

**oc_in_fw** · 05-31-2012, 06:32 PM

Originally Posted by Slash McCoy

You could also use a "smoking glove" but that looks kinda gay.

What if the glove matches your shaving jacket?

**jdrum3** · 05-31-2012, 09:11 PM

Haha, thanks for the very helpful info gents!

**morganjg** · 06-01-2012, 09:41 AM

Originally Posted by Slash McCoy

Most meer smokers set a lot of store by how their pipe colors. Me, I never worried about that too much, because my pipes were primarily for smoking and not display. Your pipe. Don't let people rag you if you decide you don't care if it colors or not.

I agree with you, just noting that the consistent color throughout this one along with the lack of nicks on the bowl made it clear that whomever smoked this one was very careful and clearly loved it. I have a few that have good color, a few that have some stains and aren't perfect, but they all smoke the same- great!