Velani "Brandy" estate, my first estate pipe purchase.

Great looking smoking gourd!!

I've found that beautiful, expensive briar pipes seldom taste as good as they look. The question is still how will the hot, harsh smoke cool down and maybe even dry out a bit before it reaches your mouth. Meerschaum, Calabash and Corncob pipes deal with those issues.

A Calabash (think Sherlock Holmes) never needs a filter, but is bulky and awkward.
I've found that a quality Meerschaum pipe, the kind that sell for $150-$200 in stores, but only $75-90 on ebay, deliver everything they promise as long as you don't buy a cheaper miniature. I even discovered to my surprise recently that I don't need to use a filter with it.

A cheap Corncob pipe with a cheap medico filter provides great smoking pleasure.

A beautiful hand-carved briar pipe is truly an object of pride to own and use and I've burned many a hole in my tongue stubbornly smoking fine briar pipes. It is possible that your new pipe has room for a filter. You can even use a pipe cleaner folded in fourths if there is space for it. Filters come in two sizes and the best briars probably use the European sized filter, as does my Turkish Meerschaum.

I know I'm opinionated and I'm raining on your parade. Enjoy your new pipe. It does look like it could fit a European filter. The cheapest source is Finck Cigars online.

Larry, yeah you never know exactly what you're getting, and from what I understand briars can be very tempermental. However, I wanted to have at least one briar, and since this was an ebay purchase, I got it for a decent price.  

I also have a meerschaum on the way to round out the collection, and will post pics when it arrives.  

So I figure with one briar, one meerschaum, the brylon yello-bole, and a few corncobs, my pipe collection is complete.

I'm looking forward to seeing the Meerschaum.

Quoteljlemer - 9/24/2009  9:21 PM

I'm looking forward to seeing the Meerschaum.

Don't expect it to be anything impressive  

QuoteAnthony - 9/24/2009  11:23 PM

Quoteljlemer - 9/24/2009  9:21 PM

I'm looking forward to seeing the Meerschaum.

Don't expect it to be anything impressive  

I bought two cheap meerschaums online, one after the other, because I couldn't bring myself to spend $80 on a pipe. The first cost $25, the second close to $40. Both were miniatures, just for show, although you could use them to smoke maracachafa. I tried to buy estate/used meerschaums, but they were just as expensive. Finally I threw in the towel and the only pipe I've smoked since I got it is the $80 one.

Nice pipe Larry,  that's got some miles on it eh?

Got the new Meerschaum this morning, it's a hand carved Turkish block meerschaum.

Much lighter weight than I was expecting, but after doing some reading I guess it turns out they are lighter than many people would think.

Today's breakfast was a bowl of GL Pease "Key Largo" in the meerschaum.

A bit spicy, and reminiscent of a good full-bodied cigar. I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a cigar-like pipe tobacco. Perhaps wasn't the best choice for an early morning smoke, however.

Very happy with this pipe so far!

http://anthonydimattia.com/cigar/meerschaum.jpg>

Quoteljlemer - 9/25/2009 9:48 AM I've found that beautiful, expensive briar pipes seldom taste as good as they look. The question is still how will the hot, harsh smoke cool down and maybe even dry out a bit before it reaches your mouth. 

The answer is dry out (or toast!) your tobacco a bit before smoking (I load a bowl and let it rest overnight sometimes), then take your time and smoke slowly.  Herfing your pipe is a fast road to a burnt tongue.  I have a couple Peterson P-Lip pipes, directs the smoke up in your mouth rather than on the tongue like a fishtail...helps keep the smoke cooler as well.

Quoteljlemer - 9/24/2009  6:21 PM

I'm looking forward to seeing the Meerschaum.

Hey Larry, Thought I'd show you my favorite Meerschaum.

QuoteDewey Dave - 10/29/2009  5:32 PM

Quoteljlemer - 9/24/2009  6:21 PM

I'm looking forward to seeing the Meerschaum.

Hey Larry, Thought I'd show you my favorite Meerschaum.

Cool! I love the claw design.

QuoteDewey Dave - 10/29/2009  8:32 PM

Quoteljlemer - 9/24/2009  6:21 PM

I'm looking forward to seeing the Meerschaum.

Hey Larry, Thought I'd show you my favorite Meerschaum.

Are you gonna use it? It has a small bowl, because so much of the space is sculpture. Turning brown doesn't decrease its value since it becomes an estate pipe.

QuoteDewey Dave - 10/29/2009  8:32 PM

Quoteljlemer - 9/24/2009  6:21 PM

I'm looking forward to seeing the Meerschaum.

Hey Larry, Thought I'd show you my favorite Meerschaum.

Is that the Turkish CAO?  If so, that is a pipe to hang on to ... very nice indeed. But no patina.  Are you going to smoke it?