Meerschaum
Meerschaum is a very porous rock that looks like chalk and that is found in Turkey. Very malleable material when worked with water, meerschaum quickly hardens and becomes fragile like porcelain.
What is interesting about this material is that it can naturally filter tobacco's harmful substances. It is also heatproof.
Meerschaum pipes
These pipes are most of the time unique models. Meerschaum is indeed a material that allows to sculpt different shapes. You will therefore find meerschaum pipes sculpted with human faces, animals, or even claws for example.
They are sold in a tailored box.
The white color of meerschaum will change over the uses and will turn yellow.
Fragile, these pipes are to be handled with care. Genuine meerschaum pipes might also be more expensive and will start at 180 euros. Most of them are made in Turkey.
Pipes with a meerschaum-lined bowl
Less fragile, these pipes will benefit from the properties of briar and meerschaum. They are less fragile since the bowl is made with wood. But they will also filter tobacco's harmful substances like pipes entirely made with meerschaum.
These pipes have most of the time more classic shapes.
Such pipes will be less expensive and you can find a classic one starting from 100 euros. Some of these pipes are made in Saint-Claude.
Discover pipes with a meerschaum-lined bowl
Differences between meerschaum pipes and pipes with a meerschaum-lined bowl:
| Characteristics | Meerschaum pipes | Pipes with a meerschaum-lined bowl |
|---|---|---|
| Origin and manufacturing process | Made from natural meerschaum, most of the time found in the Mediterranean Sea or Black Sea. These pipes are carefully made by experienced craftspeople in Turkey. | Solid meerschaum that most of the time comes from Turkey is used. Then, the piece of meerschaum is put in the bowl of the briar pipe. |
| Smoking | Meerschaum is naturally porous, allowing it to filter tobacco's harmful substances and humidity, for an even more pleasant tobacco tasting. | Even though it is less porous than meerschaum, the piece of meerschaum inside the bowl also allows to retain humidity and makes the smoke smoother. |
| Aesthetic | Meerschaum pipes are often considered as works of art, sculpted with unique silhouettes and shapes. | Pipes with meerschaum-lined bowls often have classic shapes and finishes. |
| Price | Meerschaum pipes are more expensive because of the time required to create such models and because meerschaum of great quality is difficult to find. | The price of pipes with a meerschaum-lined bowl may vary but they are most of the time more affordable than meerschaum pipes. |
Calabash pipes
These pipes have a tobacco chamber made with meerschaum. They are made with African squash. Each model is therefore unique. These pipes are rare and difficult to find. They will thus be more expensive.
Thanks to meerschaum, the smoke will be smoother in the mouth. Once again, these pipes are fragile and should therefore be handled with care when cleaning them.
No matter your budget or what kind of pipe you are looking for, meerschaum pipes or pipes with a meerschaum-lined bowl are perfect for smokers who tend to let their pipe overheat when smoking. This is a good idea for smokers who burn their pipe.
Jean MERMET, La Pipe Rit
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