Meerschaum Pipes Offer An Elegant Way To Smoke

Meerschaum Pipes is a soft mineral made out of hydrous magnesium silicate that is mined in Turkey near Eskisehir. It is extracted from the ground in large clumps and is ideal for carving and engraving. More than three centuries ago, craftsman started created Meerschaum pipes intended for smoking tobacco. In addition to pipes, artisans crafted figurines and sculptures out of this porous mineral because it is easy to work with.

Before carving, the material must be left to soak in water for at last thirty minutes. This further softens it and makes it easy to carve. Artists who work with this material are extremely skilled and are able to carve astounding details into their works of art. Because they are carved by hand, there are no two pipes that are identical. Subtle differences can be detected in any two pieces even if they look identical at first glance. After the piece is carved, it goes into a kiln to remove any remaining moisture. A stem is inserted in one end and a shank is inserted into the other. After the pipe has been polished, it is dipped in bleached beeswax to give it that characteristic bright white finish.



This mineral is favored by pipe makers for many reasons including the unique appearance. Elaborate designs can be carved into this lightweight material and the better the artist, the more intricate the carvings can be. The porous substance is preferred by smokers because it allows the taste of the tobacco to come through. Meerschaum pipes will naturally filter out the nicotine and tar and makes the tobacco taste more pure. Many pipe smokers will try out a new tobacco with this type of pipe to get the best experience and have a better opportunity to judge the tobacco quality. As the nicotine interacts with the mineral over time, the pipe will turn amber in color. With time, smokers claim that the pipe will taste better as well. This material will not retain heat like other substances so the tobacco will burn more evenly because the pipe remains dry and cool.

Most pipe smokers will take their time choosing a pipe. This is a very personal decision that will depend on the type of tobacco smoked, where the pipe is smoked and how it feels to the individual user. Meerschaums are popular because they are known for allowing the flavor of the tobacco to come through while eliminating the unwanted ingredients including nicotine and tar. Those waste products eventually give the pipe the patina that is so familiar with this type of pipe. Many of these types of pipes are prized possessions and prices will vary by quite a bit depending on the skill of the carver and the quality of the pipe. They can be found in most stores that sell fine tobacco products.