Are AKB meerschaum pipes good?

Cherished for their heat resistance and flavor-neutral smoking properties, meerschaum pipes provide a fresh, unique way to experience favored blends while also building character over time as the meerschaum patinates into hues of brown, tan, and even pink.

What is meerschaum made from?

A meerschaum pipe is a smoking pipe made from the mineral sepiolite, also known as meerschaum.

What is IMP meerschaum?

IMP meerschaum pipes are hand made by skilled craftsmen in stages. Someone often roughs out the shape, and a master comes in later to do the detailing (such as the figural pipes). The material of a meerschaum pipe won’t burn, so there is no burnout, and the porosity allows for very beautiful coloring over the years.

What is African meerschaum?

Pre-colored Genuine Block African Meerschaum Pipe – Solid block meerschaum pipe is carved by Kiko from Africa. It is carved in an artistic pattern of multiple lines. The pipe features unique coloring going from a very dark rim to a gradual fade of very light brown.

What is block meerschaum?

Block Meerschaum – There are 2 types of meerschaum used in the creation of smoking pipes; block meerschaum and pressed meerschaum. This type of meerschaum is heavier than block, does not smoke as cool, does not color as well and any carving is typically clunky and uninteresting.

How can you tell a real meerschaum?

Real meerschaum pipes absorb tobacco tar and oil, which is wicked to the surface by a beeswax coating. Over time a meerschaum pipe’s color turns from creamy white to a rich golden brown or cherry. Check for any “burn out” places on the bowl of the pipe. Real meerschaum doesn’t burn.

How do you identify a meerschaum pipe?

Determining meerschaum pipe quality The quality of meerschaum can be distinguished by testing its porosity. Rub a wet finger across the meerschaum, high quality meerschaum will absorb the moisture; low quality meerschaum will not.

What should I look for in a meerschaum pipe?

5 Important Do’s and Don’ts When Buying Meerschaum Pipes

• Don’t buy a Meerschaum pipe made from pressed block.
• Do find out dimensions and weight before buying.
• Don’t buy based on the price alone.
• Do favor models that possess an insert in between the mouthpiece and the Meerschaum.

Are meerschaum pipes fragile?

1. Your Meerschaum pipe is quite fragile and requires more careful handling than other pipes. Some smokers prefer to handle a Meerschaum only by the stem. Of course, you should always take care not to drop your Meerschaum on a hard surface.

What is the advantage of a meerschaum pipe?

It is light, easy to carve and dissipates heat well however, which has made it a favorite with pipe makers for more than 300 years. And because meerschaum pipes dissipate heat so well they provide an incredibly cool smoke which is one of the things meerschaum fans love most about their pipes.