March Meer Madness - 2015

[Mister Moo]

Yes- it's here. MMM 2015!

Need an excuse (or not) to show your meers, smoke your meers, chat up your meers or ask questions about the white lady? Well, make an effort -- no matter how painful - to show the love in March. As always, I will be your guidance counselor.

Now go get the darn thing out the drawer. Or, if you have none, hang around here to get advice from the Meer Masters about what to get, why, and where to get something you'll cherish.

Go.

[cigarsarge]

This should be good...Only have one meer but it's high quality. It's a Signed Bekler that burns latikia lke there is no tomorrow.

[MrMotoyoshi]

I'll be posting some pics of an unsmoked Kiko that I just picked up off of Yahoo Auctions Japan. I'm slowly starting to appreciate them a lot more.

[Mister Moo]

Y'all have a week to get your MMM-2015 pledge card signed.

"Got me a meer and I'm for sure going to smoke it during March. I mean, maybe not all the time but a least once in a while. That, or I don't have a meerschaum but I do have a Missouri Meerschaum, and I'll feed around the edges; or I have not a clay meerschaum but I want to know why Meer Meisters around the world like them and, more important, how to select one for purchase that won't give me any problems.

Signed:

(your name)"

One week to kick-off.

[Mister Moo]

1970's-era Pioneer gourd calabash with pressed-meer bowl. This will be my kick-off pipe on Sunday.

[OnePyroTec]

I'll sign that card and smoke my meers during March.

[Mister Moo]

I'll sign that card and smoke my meers during March.

I guess we can squeeze you in. Whatcha gonna be smoking, meerwise, Pyro?

Welcome aboard to MMM-2015.

[Mister Moo]

I'm going to go to the pipe shop today and look at their meers. You're making this sound like too much fun to miss out on...if they have a good one, I'll get it and sign up!

Do you know a good one when you see one, Kevin? We would certainly benefit from your company here but not if you get a pipe on impulse that is doomed to gurgle for all eternity. The Meer Meisters here are looking out for you already.

[Mister Moo]

Push stem, block, not pressed...what other tips/help have you got for me? I admit I haven't had a meerschaum before.

most of the clay pipes have a nylon push pull. Remember to always remove the pipestem by turning it clockwise and to reinsert the stem also by turning it clockwise. If you turn it counterclockwise you will probably back the push-pull threaded section of the pipe, bad form but not the end of the world.

whatever pipe you get make sure it has a 4 millimeter airway, not a 3 millimeter airway. The larger pipes, especially those with 4 millimeter airways, are almost always gurgle free. Smaller carved cute little pipes with 3 millimeter airways are almost always depressing to own. In my humble experience!

I have had good luck with all my 4 millimeter meerschaum pipes. I don't think it matters whether the bowl is block or pressed other than the potential for coloration. Folks say that block colors better than pressed; African meerschaum colors differently than the Turkish - see images online for the difference . As far as major brands go, there are uniformly good reviews on CAO and Altinok. I have a large dublin by Payçok (pie-kosch) that has been a real pip for $90: their 4mm seem to get good reports. Otherwise, look for a good mortise and tenon fit and a low centered airway in the chamber.

get whatever shape moves you but remember, the more intricate the carving, the harder it is to keep it clean and free from ash and bits of tobacco. I favor smooth classic pipes myself... But that's just me.

Just my opinion - hope it is helpful.

[Branzig]

I am Meer-less myself. Not even a meer lined briar.

So I guess sign me up under the "I want to know why they're so awesome and should I buy one" crowd. I have been looking at clay pipes lately....maybe I should jump up my Meer game instead.