My Criteria? Reputable Quality. I’m interested in putting a Meer through its paces. I’m in uncharted territory with regard to Meers. Although I do own one African Meer - I don’t believe it’s among the better smoking pipes.
I Want to Purchase a Quality Meer. Please Recommend a Brand!
- Thread starter Grangerous
- Start date
SmokingPipes.com Updates
Watch for Updates Twice a Week
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
Site Sponsors
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
Anything made before 1920 is usually pretty good!
I prefer altinay, most of my meets are from them. Very good quality and they all color fairly fast.
Buy something from PipesDepot. Throw out an offer on ebay and they generally except. Take $25 off the top. Good pipes, good drilling. If you go all in and dont like Meerschaum it would be a waste.
I second Altinay as I've had good luck with them, they smoke as well as my best briar pipes. Nice open draws (one of my main issues with other meers is constricted draws).
Does anyone make a good meer with a good vulcanite stem? Sorry, OP, for the side-swipe.
I have an IMP that is drilled well, performs and the stem fits nice, no issues.
I commissioned an Altinok based on a sketch I came up with and the quality of the carving is amazing. Unfortunately it didn’t come with the stem I asked for and it was loose but a member here was kind enough to fashion a replacement. It also performs well.
I commissioned an Altinok based on a sketch I came up with and the quality of the carving is amazing. Unfortunately it didn’t come with the stem I asked for and it was loose but a member here was kind enough to fashion a replacement. It also performs well.
Altinay, Altinok and IMP would be my first choices
There are a number of vendors: Certainly Altinay, Altinok, Becker, and IMP are definitely players in that arena. Pay attention the people who start threads on Meerschaums and you will find other suggestions.
Ramadan from Meerschaum Depot sells pipes through C.I and does a lovely line in 'cutty' pipes since he borrows mine to copy and sells them under my name no less! Before you ask I don't get any royalties or anything since he is a very close friend who does all my pipe cases for me. He sells a lot of Ebay and will always cut a deal if you say you know me!
My CAO branded pipes are all grand smokers and color well. Sorry, I am totally unfamiliar with any of the current manufacturers. I am sure quality manufacturers and carvers are still out there. Witness all the testimonials on this site.
I love my Astas Meers. On all 3 occasions, I dealt with the carver himself. I've been in contact with him for years now regularly haha. Comparing with big name brands, I believe he is one of the less expensive around. He has a website, but It looks like most of his stuff is on Etsy.
click it
click it
Any from any of the major retailers. I can't recommend Altinay because they call chips and pitting natural defects that they "over look". Not something I'd want to potentially lead to a crack when smoking.
@Grangerous what is your budget and I’m assuming you want something that is new/nos/unsmoked?
Under $500 - most of my pipes are estates… Lightly smoked preferred but that’s not a deal breaker.
I’d like a good smoker with an easy draw and a quality joint of mortise and stem.
Nothing ornate.
A classic smooth billiard with enough chamber diameter to allow a papertowel wrapped finger to easily clean the bowl after use.
Essentially, a Meerschaum equivalent of most of my Briars.
I think you should have a fairly easy time finding something in those parameters.
Tekin and Altinay are my recommendations. Just look extra carefully at buttons and stems because they can vary wildly in quality and size. I would only get one with this kind of tenon/mortise connection. 
They look to have the screw in inserts though I may be mistaken if that's a deal breaker for you. I prefer those type of inserts myself.
On the topic of tenon connections, which is a popular subject when it comes to meers, Altinok is one of the only current carvers that uses a permanent, stainless steel tenon connection.