GOURDS
September is the planting time. December the month when the fruit must be turned by hand in the heat of each day when it is softest. To perfect the bend in the neck, it is better to be careful. Too much at a time will crack the neck. Too quick and the necks will crack, too slow and they will go mouldy.
After 7 weeks those gourds that survive the wind, the plant lice and the cutworms, are harvested and the neck is cut off and boiled for 12 hours in a copper kettle. This process removes the bark and gives the pipe its beautiful honey colour. The next phase is drying; on racks in the sun for some days and then 3 days in the shade Each gourd is different – every pipe is individual. We divide them into full bent or half bent
MEERSCHAUM
The name comes from the German word meaning “sea-foam” which it is said because of resemblance. Meerschaum is a miraculous rare mineral and a kind of hard white clay. This name reflects its characteristics of lightness in weight and whiteness in colour. It is one of the most porous substances found in nature, will not burn out, and is considered by pipe smokers as the perfect material for a cool, dry smoke. Only the purist meerschaum, mined in a small area in Turkey, is suitable for making pipes. Light and porous structure of the pipe keeps the smoke cool and soft.
The meerschaum itself is a natural filter which absorbs the nicotine. Because of this peculiarity, meerschaum pipes slowly change their colors to different tones of gold and dark brown. This adds an esthetic enjoyment to its great smoking pleasure. The longer a pipe is smoked, the more valuable it becomes due to the color change. All of our pipes are made of high quality Eskisehir Block Meerschaum which is very well known by experts. Unlike briar, meerschaum does not burn. All mouthpieces and pipe-cases are handmade individually after the production of the pipes.
The difference between Block and Pressed meerschaum is the difference between a solid gemstone and a piece of particle board. While they may look similar to the naked eye when new, they perform very differently over time.
Here is a breakdown of the technical and practical differences:
1. Material and Origin
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Block Meerschaum: This is carved from a single, solid chunk of sepiolite (the mineral name for meerschaum) extracted directly from the ground. It is a natural, mineral-pure product.
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Pressed Meerschaum: Also known as “composite” or “Vienna” meerschaum. It is made by taking the dust, scraps, and small leftovers from carving block pipes, mixing them with a binding agent (glue or industrial wax), and pressing them into a mold under high pressure.
2. Porosity and Smoking Quality
The “magic” of meerschaum lies in its microscopic pores, which act like a natural filter.
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Block: Highly porous. It absorbs moisture and tar from the tobacco smoke, leading to a cool, dry, and bite-free smoke. Because it is natural stone, it doesn’t “ghost” (hold flavors) as much as wood.
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Pressed: The glue and binders used to hold the dust together clog the pores. As a result, pressed meerschaum does not breathe. The smoke is often wetter and hotter, similar to a cheap ceramic pipe.
3. The “Coloring” Process
This is the most important factor for collectors.
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Block: As you smoke, the natural oils and tars permeate the stone from the inside out. Over months and years, the pipe turns from bone-white to golden-honey, deep amber, and eventually a rich dark cherry.
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Pressed: Because the pores are blocked by glue, the pipe will not color naturally. It may turn a dull, splotchy grey or yellowish-brown on the surface, but it will never achieve the deep, translucent patina that block meerschaum is famous for.
4. Durability and Weight
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Block: Surprisingly lightweight. It feels “airy” in the hand. However, it is fragile—if you drop it on a hard floor, it will likely shatter or snap at the shank.
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Pressed: Usually heavier and denser because of the binders. While it is still fragile, it feels more like a heavy piece of plaster than a light mineral.
Comparison Summary
| Feature | Block Meerschaum | Pressed Meerschaum |
| Source | Single solid natural stone | Compressed dust & glue |
| Smoke Quality | Cool, dry, flavor-neutral | Hotter, wetter |
| Coloring | Beautiful amber/cherry patina | Minimal to none (splotchy) |
| Value | High (Collectable) | Low (Disposable) |
| Weight | Very light | Noticeably heavier |
CALABASH PIPES
The Calabash pipes offer the coolest and driest smoke available so thanks to the mixture of materials. While many opt for the briar versions, the actual Calabash Gourds are the original ones. Made from the fruit of the Calabash Gourds, which was one of the first plants cultivated by early humans in Africa continent. The large hollow chamber allows for the smoke to swirl round and cool before being smoked. This combined with a Meerschaum makes for a cool and dry smoke. The inner chamber also collects any other moisture and keeps the tobacco dry in the bowl.
The large meerschaum bowl is removable and allowing the pipe to be taken apart to completely dry out and remove and debris. Are they really handcarved? They are handmade from the best quality Eskisehir Block Meerschaum and all of our carvers use special knifes to dress these magnificent pipes. Even some of the knives are handmade as each carver only feels himself comfortable with his own handmade knife. All of the pipes come in a custom-made leather and velvet lined hard fitted cases.
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