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Post by roberted5 on Jul 31, 2019 16:26:46 GMT -5
I like meerschaum pipes but they seem to be drilled either different than briar or drilling is off.
Many I have seen have draft holes that are lower than bottom of bowl or countersunk.
Then there’s the too small of hole in tenon and stem or loose fitting stems,etc...
I’ve been looking at Tekin pipes at pipe depot on eBay and have already seen some nice meerschaum in my range but I want a classic shape smooth properly drilled meerschaum.
What are some brands or carvers of meerschaum that do good work on proper inside drilling of meerschaum?
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jitterbugdude
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Posts: 229 
First Name: Randy
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Post by jitterbugdude on Jul 31, 2019 18:23:11 GMT -5
Altinok Pipes
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2019 18:24:53 GMT -5
Tekin has a good reputation. Some of his work for AKB is in classic styles and affordable. There is a selection at SP now and they are very good with customer satisfaction and returns. They'll also answer questions in advance of purchase.
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Post by trailboss on Aug 1, 2019 0:34:47 GMT -5
Outside of the scope of your question...but
That was said to me by a Turkish seller at a pipe show after looking at my pipe made in Vienna that predates the ban.
Having said that, The advice given in the previous posts are solid recommendations.
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Post by sperrytops on Aug 1, 2019 12:18:22 GMT -5
In addition to above, a good producer of classic Meerschaum shapes is IMP. I've also had several classical shapes handmade by Mehmet ali Barinci, an artisan carver in Turkey. All very fine quality block meerschaum with perfect alignment of airways.
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Post by roadsdiverged on Aug 1, 2019 16:58:01 GMT -5
I have 1 Altinok and I love it. It's my only Meer, and for some reason I rarely smoke it.
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Post by roberted5 on Aug 1, 2019 20:50:15 GMT -5
I heard about the ban on meerschaum but didn’t know it applied to export.
I have been looking at Tekin Diamond grade and they are reasonably priced.
The Tekin pipes I want aren’t available online but I seen some on eBay and if it’s Tekin I’ll use eBay or pipes and cigars.
Usually P & C is too high on pipes but they have competitive prices on Tekin meerschaum.
I prefer classic smooth finishes but I seen some very nice animals and faces I’d like to have.
If the face or animal pipe doesn’t have a feature that can snap off easy ,like an ear or horns,then that’s a big plus.
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Post by trailboss on Aug 1, 2019 21:11:49 GMT -5
Beware the curly headed Meer!  |
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Winton
Junior Member
Posts: 220
First Name: John
Favorite Pipe: I love all the pipes I have from slow smoke contests
Favorite Tobacco: no latakia please
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Post by Winton on Aug 2, 2019 8:52:55 GMT -5
Over the last few years, I have become friends with one of the carvers from Turkey. As I understand the laws, they can only export a finished product. The way around this is to do the drilling and some basic shaping. Then add a stem and declare this a pipe. Of course, the buyer could also buy the carving tools to make minor adjustments to the shape if he wanted.
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Winton
Junior Member
Posts: 220
First Name: John
Favorite Pipe: I love all the pipes I have from slow smoke contests
Favorite Tobacco: no latakia please
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Post by Winton on Aug 2, 2019 8:59:45 GMT -5
I now own three meers from my friend, a cowboy, a panel pipe, and an elephant head pipe. I have also commissioned a pipe from him. This pipe will be patterned after the crotch section of a tree. The bowl will be a large branch and stem will come out of a smaller branch. As a woodturner, this is my favorite part of the tree to turn. The grain goes nuts at this section. The finished product is very beautiful, compared to the rest of the wood.
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Post by blackmouth210 on Aug 2, 2019 13:32:11 GMT -5
Altinok. IMP. Baki.
You'll have more luck finding pipes from the first two. And either is great.
The third is almost impossible to find in the U.S. but also a great choice.
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Post by Ronv69 on Aug 2, 2019 13:42:35 GMT -5
I have an Altinok and I was very unimpressed with drilling and shaping. The whole pipe is lopsided and the draw was too tight. The draw was an easy fix but the rest is what it is. For the price you buy a very fine briar pipe. Most of the Turkish meers are purely decorative. I have a floral carved bowl for a Kirsten that's excellent by Ozgur, but I have no idea what his regular pipes are like.
I have an older Austrian meer that is great, as well as Peterson and Manx meers that are well made. I wouldn't buy another Turkish meer on a bet.
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Post by blackmouth210 on Aug 2, 2019 13:48:32 GMT -5
I have an Altinok and I was very unimpressed with drilling and shaping. The whole pipe is lopsided and the draw was too tight. The draw was an easy fix but the rest is what it is. For the price you buy a very fine briar pipe. Most of the Turkish meers are purely decorative. I have a floral carved bowl for a Kirsten that's excellent by Ozgur, but I have no idea what his regular pipes are like. I have an older Austrian meer that is great, as well as Peterson and Manx meers that are well made. I wouldn't buy another Turkish meer on a bet. I realize it's probably too little too late for your situation. But generally speaking, Sinan Altinok has shown himself to be a very stand up guy. I feel very sure that he'll make things right if given the chance by a dissatisfied customer. That's just what I've seen from his dealings with others. I have no issues with my Altinok. |
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Post by Ronv69 on Aug 2, 2019 14:03:16 GMT -5
I got my PSF POY Altinok second hand unsmoked from eBay to complete my set for the yeas I was a member. It is OK since I fixed the draw. On most of the meers you are restricted by the tiny tenon, but on the Altinok the tenon was big enough if installed crooked. A wet bristle pipe cleaner opened the draft plenty. It was mostly meerschaum dust. Draft hole is high and to the left. Much worse than any of the bad examples of Peterson's that I have seen. If I had bought it directly from Altinok I would have certainly returned it. I know that most of the guys were very pleased with theirs.
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briarbuck
Full Member
Leave the gun...take the cannoli.
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Post by briarbuck on Aug 2, 2019 14:12:19 GMT -5
My Tekin is my favorite of the 7 Meers I own.
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Post by Ronv69 on Aug 2, 2019 14:16:19 GMT -5
I believe that if you spend enough money you can get a great Turkish meer. But Those are way out of my budget. I would guess that $350 is the least you should expect to spend. I am also convinced that the average Radice smokes better than the best meers.
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Post by Darin on Aug 2, 2019 14:53:58 GMT -5
I'll cast another vote for IMP ... no issues at all with mine.
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