Pipe Smoking Tobacco

www.Pipeshowonline.com may be helpful in locating a pipe event that could help you to further your enjoyment of pipes. I found it to be a very good resource. --Best Wishes, -Eric

When Selecting a meerschaum pipe, I try to follow a few criteria, to make the process easier. Selecting a meerschaum pipe can be overwhelming, because there are many choices of meerschaum pipes available.
To start with I divide the pipes into catagories:
1.) Utilitarian everyday smoking pipes.
2.) Pipes that are true works of art.
3.) Special pipes that are best smoked in leisure, that are finely detailed.
Upon a choice of catagory, I consider the quality of pipe versus the price. This is the part that requires a basic knowledge (which ANYONE can apply to their choices). Some 60 different qualities of meerschaum exist within the industry. The ones I mainly consider are:
1.) Purity of color.
2.) Weight
3.) Porosity
4.) Finish
5.) Detail of carving
6.) Reputation of the Artist who made the pipe, and the individual or company who imported the pipe.
7.) Where the meerschaum was mined from the Earth.
From my experience, I have found the best meerschaum comes from near Eskisehir, Turkey, where most of the talented carvers live. The location is actually a few miles from Eskisehir, where near the town of "Whitegold". There are so many meerschaum mine shafts dug into the Earth, there, they can be seen from satellite spacecraft cameras.
When you see a meerschaum pipe that is high in quality, you will naturally know the quality, as you examine it closely. Lower quality pipes look hastily crafted, have evident flaws, are a bit heavy and roughly finished. Lower quality pipes may be made from the compressed dust or shavings from real BLOCK meerschaum. Real block meerschaums smoke, color, feel differently, than inferior compressed meerschaum. It is not real block meerschaum unless it is stated as such, and you know the reputation of the person you are buying from. Also, before purchasing, consider a very close inpection of the pipe, to examine it for hairline cracks or fissures. Examine also, the connector for the shank and stem. Do not select a meerschaum that has been precolored with a darker beeswax or an artificial dye, because these finishes can conceal flaws, that can not be hidden by the bleached white beeswax.
Every quality meerschaum should have a custom fitted leather and wood case, lined with a soft material--this is why you can still find antique pipes that are in great condition--they are protected over the years in those cases. I have found that smoking meerschaum pipes is indeed a true luxury, and set your leisure time aside to smoke one, everyday! Here are some links to help you on your quest for a quality meerschaum, made by hand, unique in all the world and truly for your pleasure:
www.meerschaum.com
www.altinaypipe.com
http://altinokpipe.com
www.danishpipemakers.com
www.aznavur.com
www.koncakmeerschaum.com
www.ermecpipo.com
www.smokingpipes.com
http://bestmeerschaums.homestead.com

www.imppipes.com
www.paylesspipes.com
www.pipesandcigars.com

www.smspipes.com
www.meerschaumstore.com
www.paktaspipe.com
www.fumeursdepipe.net/pipiersBbargiel.htm
www.smokershaven.com
www.whitepipe.com
www.AAAmeerschaum.com
http://www.smoke.co.uk/

www.brairpatch.com
www.OutWesttobacco.com

Some notable meerschaum pipe carving artists and importers are:

Mr. Samil Sermet of smspipes
Mr. Ahmet Buyak Copur
Mr. Sinan Altinok
Mr. Arne Urup
Mr. Burhan Yucel
Mr. Medat Kara
Mr. Imdat Kara
Mr. Erdogan Ege
Mr. Salim Sener
Mr. Eyup Sabri
Mr. Fikri Baki
Mr. Mesut Gezer
Mr. Sevket Gezer
Mr. Sadik Yanik
Mr. Yunus Ege
Mr. Ismail Baglan
Mr. Ismail Ozel
Mr. Ismat Bekler
Mr. Cano Ozgener
Mr. Kadir Baysal
Mr. M.Bassal
Mr. Salim Sener
Mr. Munir Andogu
Mr. Nick Merdenyan
Mr. Nurhan Cevahir
Mr. O.Sabri
Mr. Hasan Aydogu
Mr. Philippe Bargiel
Mr. Ramazan Karaca
Mr. Saban Onalici

--Happy Meerschaum Pipe Hunting, and don't forget to attend the Chicago Pipe Show the first week of May 2008 (Mr. Samil Sermet of SMSpipes will be there with many meerscuam treasures!) --Eric

Topkapi calabash

Meerschaum Carver