How to make a foam insert in a wooden tube. Smoking pipe

Meerschaum pipes, according to some sources, appeared in 1723. The word Meerschaum is of German origin and translates as "sea foam". And this perfectly conveys such characteristics of the mineral as its lightness and whiteness.
Foam, one of the most porous minerals in nature (Hydrous Magnesium Silicate or "Aphrodite", "sepiolite"), and heat resistance and ease of processing make it extremely suitable for making pipes with cool and dry smoke. Due to the high absorbent properties, the foam acts as a filter that absorbs moisture and tar, which, of course, adds to the pleasure of smoking. Because of these same qualities, over time meerschaum tubes turn into rich honey-brown tones, making the surface more beautiful and at the same time improving the palatability. Foam pipes, "aristocrats" among all smoking pipes. Smokers know and appreciate the incomparable pleasure they get from smoking.

Mining
There is a belief that the foam is the petrified white crests of the waves. In fact, these are just fossilized shells of the smallest sea creatures that fell to the bottom many millions of years ago. Today, top-quality foam deposits cannot be found near the sea. They were found only in one place in the world, on an open plain in central Turkey, in the vicinity of the town of Eskisehir, in deposits of red clay in an area of ​​​​only 4 square meters. miles. (However, according to other sources, foam seems to be also mined in East Africa.)
Raw foam is mined from a depth of 200 to 300 feet. Only a few families have been engaged in this trade for several generations. The average size of a extracted block is approximately the size of a grapefruit. The extracted raw materials are washed and sorted into five quality categories. Each of the 5 categories is further divided into 12 grades based on color, porosity and uniformity.

Manufacture of meerschaum pipes
The first meerschaum pipes were carved about 300 years ago. And today these unique pipes are cut exclusively by hand. The first step of the master, the carver, is the selection of the best block of mineral. It is selected based on block size, density, color and saturation. Then the carver, having carefully studied each piece of the mineral, must calculate and feel all the necessary, optimal split lines. The blanks split in this way are immersed in water for 15-30 minutes to achieve the consistency of the cheese. Working with soft material, the cutter selects the approximate, draft shape of the tube itself and the opening of the cup and shank. Further, after fine refinement, the tube goes into a furnace with a high temperature in order to remove all moisture from the mineral. After thorough polishing with the finest abrasive, the foam is ready for waxing. Although there are many different types of artificial wax, only natural beeswax is associated with the color of the most beautiful collectible pipes. For polishing, melted discolored wax is used. The very subtle nuances of color and tone of the new pipe are achieved by applying and polishing varying numbers of layers of wax, the way they are applied, etc.

Coloring
Due to the natural porosity of the mineral, when smoked, meerschaum pipes quickly change their color from white to golden, cherry red or brown. And since each piece of the mineral is unique in itself, each tube is painted at different times and in different, unpredictable shades. It is impossible to predict the coloring time in advance. It can be 2 months or 12 months. Staining is also influenced by factors such as the frequency and intensity of smoking, the type of tobacco. But to a greater extent, it is the frequency of smoking than tobacco.

It should be noted that there are two, or rather, even three types of foam:
- natural, blocky foam;
- pressed, molded, made by pressing foam crumbs
- and artificial foam, made of polymeric materials.
One should not expect the same qualities from tubes made of artificial or pressed foam as from natural block foam. This applies both to the color and to the absorbent properties of the material and, accordingly, to the taste of the pipe when smoking. Actually, the last two types, that is, pressed and artificial foams, are essentially fakes.

Artificial, polymer foam has a smoother, almost mirror-like surface. This is a very homogeneous mass, not as porous and brittle as natural block foam. Most likely, you can distinguish them if you just scrape the surface slightly with your fingernail, try to remove thin chips. Natural foam scratches more easily and its chips are fragile, crumble under the nail. Artificial, on the other hand, is more like plastic - elastic, denser, it is more difficult to scratch and the chips practically do not crumble. The pressed foam is much more granular than natural and due to the heterogeneity and lower viscosity of the structure when smoking, that is, rather sharp heating, it often crumbles and breaks in the hands.
In short, try not to take a pipe made of artificial, pressed foam, regardless of the sometimes significant difference in prices.
Natural foam tubes are now cut ONLY in Turkey. Some firms buy ready-made pipes there, and change the mouthpieces to their own. Usually, these pipes are stamped Block meerschaum. But also not always.

Foam tube care
There are many misconceptions about meerschaum pipes. Remember that no two pipes are the same, no two smokers are the same. Do not be afraid to once again pick up a pipe, smoke it. This does not harm her at all. A meerschaum pipe, in addition to the usual pleasure of smoking, also gives additional pleasure with its color, shape, carving, and pattern.
Unlike briar pipes, which must be dried after each use, meerschaum pipes can be smoked many times a day due to the material's high absorption rate.
If the tube becomes dirty, take a cotton or any other soft cloth, drop a liquid containing a small amount of alcohol on it and gently wipe the tube until the dirt is removed. Just remember that this must be done without fail after the tube has completely cooled down. And it is desirable that the liquid does not have a pronounced odor. Therefore, lotions, toilet water and other perfumes are not suitable categorically. However, if you like Mac Baren with the refreshing Eau Sauvage fragrance from Dior, then the bottle is in your hands and full speed ahead.

Never wash the tube in hot water or scrub the outside of the tube. It should be noted that on one memo for smokers of meerschaum pipes I read the following: "You should not boil your pipe, especially with the use of cleaners and bleaches."
Never bang the pipe against a hard surface to dislodge the ash. In the case of a meerschaum pipe, you will simply break it; in the case of a heather pipe, you will be considered a barbarian and a savage. Except when special tube ashtrays with a cork “knocker” are used.
Meerschaum pipes do not require soot inside the cup, like, say, briar pipes. Therefore, as necessary, clean the cup of carbon deposits that have appeared. This should be done with a non-sharp, rounded tool.

Be extremely careful when you clean the bottom of the cup at the exit of the smoke channel, because immediately after smoking, the foam in these places is moist and soft.
Be careful when removing the mouthpiece from the tube. Be sure to hold the pipe with your fingers by the chubuk, and the mouthpiece itself is easy, without tension, pull towards you, while turning clockwise. Do the same when you insert it.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that over hundreds of years, meerschaum pipes have gained a reputation as the most pleasant, comfortable to smoke. Also because each pipe is not only an ordinary smoking device, but also a unique handmade work of art, made according to traditions passed down by craftsmen from generation to generation. Of course, this cannot but give the owner of such a pipe some additional pride and satisfaction from the mere consciousness of owning such a thing.

(Meerschaum pipes), according to some sources, appeared in 1723. The word Meerschaum is of German origin and is translated very romantically - "sea foam". And this perfectly conveys such characteristics of the mineral as its lightness and whiteness. Foam, one of the most porous minerals in nature (Hydrous Magnesium Silicate or "Aphrodite", "sepiolite"), in chemical composition it is magnesium oxide, silica, carbon and water.

Heat resistance and ease of processing make foam an extremely suitable material for making pipes with cool and dry smoke. Due to the high absorbent properties, the foam acts as a filter that absorbs moisture and tar, which, of course, adds to the pleasure of smoking. Because of these same qualities, over time meerschaum tubes are painted in rich honey-brown tones, making the surface more beautiful and at the same time improving taste. Foam pipes, "aristocrats" among all smoking pipes. Smokers know and appreciate the incomparable pleasure they get from smoking.

MINERAL MINING

There is a belief that the foam is the petrified white crests of the waves. In fact, these are just fossilized shells of the smallest sea creatures that fell to the bottom many millions of years ago. Today, top-quality foam deposits cannot be found near the sea. Foam is mined in only one place - in Turkey, in the vicinity of the city of Eskisehir, located 200 kilometers from Istanbul.

Sea foam is extracted from a depth of up to 120 meters. The lower the mineral deposits, the denser, more homogeneous in composition, the better it can be processed and, accordingly, the more expensive it is. Therefore, often a large piece of a mineral, but with large inclusions and looser, costs less than a small block extracted from a great depth. The extraction of meerschaum is a difficult trade, and only a few families have been engaged in this for several generations.

The average size of a extracted block is approximately the size of a grapefruit. The extracted raw materials are washed and sorted into five quality categories. Each of the 5 categories is further divided into 12 grades based on color, porosity and uniformity. In the 80s, a material related to "meerschaum" was discovered in South Africa - it was called Manx Meerschaum, it is heavier, but less dense and less porous than Turkish foam. Unlike foam from Turkey, which simply dries, Manx Meerschaum requires heat-setting in oil, which makes the pipes look like they've been smoked for a long time.

PRODUCTION OF MEASER PIPES

Sea foam is an excellent "smoking" material: it certainly heats up, but not as much as clay and porcelain (and it is not as fragile), and unlike pipes made from plant materials, it does not burn. In addition, it has good hygroscopicity, perfectly absorbing moisture and resins.

First meerschaum was carved about 300 years ago. In 1723, the Austrian Count Andrassi was presented in Turkey with a piece of a mineral that seemed to him similar to the clay from which his pipe was made, and he ordered a new copy from this material from the Austrian master Karl Kovat. But the master saved money and made a second pipe for himself. Some time later, after constant smoking, his pipe seemed to “tan” - nicotine juices gave the sea foam a completely unique deep color. Attention began to be paid to a beautiful and interesting pipe, and they gained a certain popularity.

Now many "meerschaums" are artificially aged, passing them off as old ones. In Austria, Germany and England, they quickly gained immense popularity - the craftsmen carved the most incredible ancient scenes, portraits of rulers and historical figures on the pipe. The better and larger the piece of foam was, and the more complex the carving, the more the pipe was valued. However, it is these criteria that determine the cost of tubes in our time. Today, like many years ago, meerschaum pipes are unique and unrepeatable works of art. cut exclusively by hand.

The first step of the master (carver) is the selection of the best block of the mineral. It is selected based on block size, density, color and saturation. Then the carver, having carefully studied each piece of the mineral, must calculate and feel all the necessary, optimal split lines. The blanks split in this way are immersed in water for 15-30 minutes to achieve the consistency of the cheese. Working with soft material, the cutter selects the approximate, draft shape of the tube itself and the opening of the cup and shank. When the foam is well moistened (it can be processed only when soaked, then it can be easily processed), the material is so soft that the rough shape of the tube appears from a piece of foam literally within a couple of minutes.

If you need a simple classic-shaped meerschaum pipe, it can be made in about ten minutes. But pipes with carvings on antique scenes, either freehands or with other ornaments, are usually valued. The final finishing of the pipe is a long process, and the quality depends on the skill of the carver. After thorough polishing with the finest abrasive, the foam is ready for waxing. Although there are many different types of artificial wax, only natural beeswax is associated with the color of the most beautiful collectible pipes. For polishing, melted discolored wax is used. The very subtle nuances of color and tone of the new pipe are achieved by applying and polishing varying numbers of layers of wax, the way they are applied, etc.

In addition to pipes, whose cup is entirely made of sea foam, there is a classic model - calabash, so beloved by Mark Twain and the fictional character Sherlock Holmes. Calabash is a pipe made from a stone gourd with a meerschaum cartridge inserted into the cup, which, in fact, is a chamber for tobacco. Today, many manufacturers also use meerschaum trims for their cheap models. This is very reasonable: a meerschaum tobacco chamber is quite stylish, and besides, it does not need to be smoked. In the last century, meerschaum pipes were cut not only in Turkey, but also in Germany, Austria, Hungary, France and other countries.

Now well-known European firms place orders for the production of pipes in Turkey and sell them under their own name, only changing mouthpieces. This is due to the fact that the export of raw foam is prohibited, since it is a national treasure of Turkey. Most of the Turkish pipe makers who make decent pipes work almost exclusively for export. The main markets for products from meerschaum are Germany, Japan, USA.

COLORING AND TYPES OF MERAMIC PIPES

Due to the natural porosity of the mineral, when smoked, the pipe quickly changes its color from white to golden, cherry red or brown. And since each piece of the mineral is unique in itself, each tube is painted at different times and in different, unpredictable shades. It is impossible to predict the coloring time in advance. It can be 2 months or 12 months. Staining is also influenced by factors such as the frequency and intensity of smoking, the type of tobacco. But to a greater extent, it is the frequency of smoking than tobacco.

It should be noted that there are three types of foam: - natural, blocky foam; - pressed, molded, made by pressing foam crumbs; - and artificial foam, made of polymeric materials. One should not expect the same qualities from tubes made of artificial or pressed foam as from natural block foam. This applies both to the color and to the absorbent properties of the material and, accordingly, to the taste of the pipe when smoking. Actually, the last two types, that is, pressed and artificial foams, are, in fact, fakes.

Artificial, polymer foam has a smoother, almost mirror-like surface. This is a very homogeneous mass, not as porous and brittle as natural block foam. Most likely, you can distinguish them if you just scrape the surface slightly with your fingernail, try to remove thin chips. Natural foam scratches more easily and its chips are fragile, crumble under the nail. Artificial, on the other hand, is more like plastic - elastic, denser, it is more difficult to scratch and the chips practically do not crumble. The pressed foam is much more granular than natural and due to the heterogeneity and lower viscosity of the structure when smoking, that is, rather sharp heating, it often crumbles and breaks in the hands.

In short, try not to take a pipe made of artificial, pressed foam, regardless of the sometimes significant difference in prices. Natural foam tubes are now cut ONLY in Turkey. Some firms buy ready-made pipes there, and change the mouthpieces to their own. Usually, these pipes are stamped Block meerschaum. But also not always.

CARE OF THE MEASTER PIPE

In a relationship meerschaum pipes there are many different misconceptions. Remember that no two pipes are the same, no two smokers are the same. Do not be afraid to once again pick up a pipe, smoke it. This does not harm her at all. A meerschaum pipe, in addition to the usual pleasure of smoking, also gives additional pleasure with its color, shape, carving, and pattern.

Having bought meerschaum pipe, remember that your new acquisition is very delicate and fragile. You can't drop it, you can't beat the ashes out of it. Ash must be removed with a spatula from your stompbox, and very carefully so as not to injure the inner surface of the chamber. Then the pipe will “grow old” beautifully, acquire a noble appearance and will bring joy to its owner for a long time to come.

There is an erroneous opinion that Meerschaum pipes are not smoked and that they "do not acquire taste." Smoking meerschaum pipes in the sense that you smoke heather pipes is not really necessary - the first time you can completely fill the cup and enjoy your pipe without going through the painful (for some) procedure of smoking. At meerschaum tube over time, soot forms, in which it heats up less and due to which it acquires taste. Unlike briar pipes, which must be dried after each use, meerschaum pipes can be smoked many times a day due to the material's high absorption rate.

CLEANING THE SMOKE CHANNEL OF THE FOAM PIPE

To clean the smoke channel in pipes, a cotton cloth is used, wound around a metal rod that runs through the entire pipe inside the stem and mouthpiece. Cleaners are quite inexpensive and are divided into two main types: soft and fluffy to remove moisture, and thin and flexible to remove solid sediment inside the smoke channel. If the pipe becomes dirty, take a cotton or any other soft cloth, drop a liquid containing a small amount of alcohol on it and gently wipe the tube until the contamination is removed. Just remember that this must be done without fail after the tube has completely cooled down. And it is desirable that the liquid does not have a pronounced odor. Therefore, lotions, toilet water and other perfumes are not suitable categorically.

However, if you like Mac Baren with the refreshing Eau Sauvage fragrance from Dior, then the bottle is in your hands and full speed ahead. Freshener A liquid pipe cleaner that removes unpleasant odors and tar accumulated in the smoke channel, and also gives a pleasant and fresh smell to the pipe as a whole. Never wash the tube in hot water or scrub the outside of the tube.

It should be noted that I read the following on one handout for measles pipe smokers: "You should not boil your pipe, especially with cleaners and bleaches." It is also strange that they did not mention a washing machine and an abrasive machine with pobedite brushes for cleaning rocket nozzles from carbon deposits. Never bang the pipe against a hard surface to dislodge the ash. In the case of a meerschaum pipe, you will simply break it; in the case of a heather pipe, you will be considered a barbarian and a savage. Except when using special tube ashtrays with a cork “bit”.

A meerschaum pipe does not require carbon inside the cup, like, say, a briar pipe. Therefore, as necessary, clean the cup of carbon deposits that have appeared. This should be done with a non-sharp, rounded tool. Be extremely careful when you clean the bottom of the cup at the exit of the smoke channel, because immediately after smoking, the foam in these places is moist and soft. Be careful when removing the mouthpiece from the tube. Be sure to hold the pipe with your fingers by the chubuk, and the mouthpiece itself is easy, without tension, pull towards you, while turning clockwise. Do the same when you insert it. It would not be an exaggeration to say that over hundreds of years, meerschaum pipes have gained a reputation as the most pleasant, comfortable to smoke. Also because each meerschaum pipe is not only an ordinary smoking device, but also a unique handmade work of art, made according to traditions passed down by craftsmen from generation to generation. Of course, this cannot but give the owner of such a pipe some additional pride and satisfaction from the mere consciousness of owning such a thing.

meerschaum tubes(Meerschaum pipes), according to some reports, appeared in 1723 year. Word Meerschaum of German origin and is translated very romantically - "sea foam". And this perfectly conveys such characteristics of the mineral as its lightness and whiteness. Foam, one of the most porous minerals in nature (Hydrous Magnesium Silicate or "aphrodite", "sepiolite"), in chemical composition it is magnesium oxide, silica, carbon and water. Heat resistance and ease of processing make foam an extremely suitable material for making pipes with cool and dry smoke. Due to the high absorbent properties, the foam acts as a filter that absorbs moisture and tar, which, of course, adds to the pleasure of smoking. Because of these same qualities, over time meerschaum tubes turn into rich honey-brown tones, making the surface more beautiful and at the same time improving the palatability. Foam pipes, "aristocrats" among all smoking pipes. Smokers know and appreciate the incomparable pleasure they get from smoking.

MINERAL MINING

There is a belief that foam is petrified white wave crests. In fact, these are just fossilized shells of the smallest sea creatures that fell to the bottom many millions of years ago. Today, top-quality foam deposits cannot be found near the sea. Foam is mined in only one place - in Turkey, in the vicinity of the city of Eskisehir, located in 200 kilometers from Istanbul. Sea foam is extracted from depth to 120 meters. The lower the mineral deposits, the denser, more homogeneous in composition, the better it can be processed and, accordingly, the more expensive it is. Therefore, often a large piece of a mineral, but with large inclusions and looser, costs less than a small block extracted from a great depth. The extraction of meerschaum is a difficult trade, and only a few families have been engaged in this for several generations. The average size of a extracted block is approximately the size of a grapefruit. The extracted raw materials are washed and sorted into five quality categories. Each of the 5 categories is further divided into 12 grades depending on color, porosity and uniformity. In the 80s stuff kindred" meerschaum" was discovered in South Africa - it was called Manx Meerschaum, it is heavier, but less dense and less porous than Turkish foam. Unlike foam from Turkey, which simply dries, Manx Meerschaum requires fixing by heating in oil, and from this the tubes look as if they had been smoked for a long time.

PIPE PRODUCTION

Sea foam is an excellent "smoking" material: it certainly heats up, but not as much as clay and porcelain (and it is not as fragile), and unlike pipes made from plant materials, it does not burn. In addition, it has good hygroscopicity, perfectly absorbing moisture and resins. The first meerschaum pipe was carved about 300 years ago. IN 1723 the year of the Austrian count Andrassi In Turkey, he was presented with a piece of a mineral that seemed to him similar to the clay from which his pipe was made, and he ordered a new copy from this material from the Austrian master Karl Kovat. But the master saved money and made a second pipe for himself. Some time after smoking his pipe all the time, it's like " tanned"- nicotine juices gave the sea foam a completely unique deep color. They began to pay attention to a beautiful and interesting pipe, and they gained a certain popularity. Now many "meerschaums" are artificially aged, passing them off as old ones. In Austria, Germany and England, they quickly acquired a huge popularity - the craftsmen carved the most incredible ancient scenes, portraits of rulers and historical figures on the pipe.The better and larger the piece of foam and the more complex the carving, the more valued the pipe.However, it is these criteria that determine the cost of pipes in our time.Today , like many years ago, meerschaum pipes are unique and inimitable works of art, because they are carved exclusively by hand.The first step of the master (carver) is to select the best mineral block.It is selected based on block size, density, color and saturation Then the carver must, having carefully studied each piece of the mineral, calculate, feel all the necessary imaginary, optimal split lines. The blanks split in this way are immersed in water for 15 -30 minutes to reach the consistency of the cheese. Working with soft material, the cutter selects the approximate, draft shape of the tube itself and the opening of the cup and shank. When the foam is well moistened (it can be processed only when soaked, then it can be easily processed), the material is so soft that the rough shape of the tube appears from a piece of foam literally within a couple of minutes. If you need a simple classically shaped tube, it can be made in ten minutes. But pipes with carvings on antique scenes, either freehands or with other ornaments, are usually valued. The final finishing of the pipe is a long business, and the quality depends on the skill of the carver. After thorough polishing with the finest abrasive, the foam is ready for waxing. Although there are many different types of artificial wax, only natural beeswax is associated with the color of the most beautiful collectible pipes. For polishing, melted discolored wax is used. The very subtle nuances of color and tone of the new pipe are achieved by applying and polishing varying numbers of layers of wax, the way they are applied, etc. In addition to pipes, whose cup is completely made of sea foam, there is a classic model - calabash, so beloved by Mark Twain and the fictional character Sherlock Holmes. Calabash - a pipe made from a stone gourd with an insert in the cup of a cartridge made of sea foam, which, in fact, is a chamber for tobacco. Today, many manufacturers also use meerschaum trims for their cheap models. This is very reasonable: a meerschaum tobacco chamber is quite stylish, and besides, it does not need to be smoked. In the last century, meerschaum pipes were cut not only in Turkey, but also in Germany, Austria, Hungary, France and other countries. Now well-known European firms place orders for the production of pipes in Turkey and sell them under their own name, only changing mouthpieces. This is due to the fact that the export of raw foam is prohibited, since it is a national treasure of Turkey. Most of the Turkish pipe makers who make decent pipes work almost exclusively for export. The main markets for meerschaum products are Germany, Japan, USA.

COLOR AND TYPES

Due to the natural porosity of the mineral, when smoked, the pipe quickly changes its color from white to golden, cherry red or brown. And since each piece of the mineral is unique in itself, each tube is painted at different times and in different, unpredictable shades. It is impossible to predict the coloring time in advance. It could be 2 month and 12 months. Staining is also influenced by factors such as the frequency and intensity of smoking, the type of tobacco. But to a greater extent, it is the frequency of smoking than tobacco.

It should be noted that there are three types of foam:
- natural, block foam;
- pressed, molded, made by pressing foam crumb;
- and artificial foam, made of polymeric materials.
One should not expect the same qualities from tubes made of artificial or pressed foam as from natural block foam. This applies both to the color and to the absorbent properties of the material and, accordingly, to the taste of the pipe when smoking. Actually, the last two types, that is, pressed and artificial foams, are, in fact, fakes. Artificial, polymer foam has a smoother, almost mirror-like surface. This is a very homogeneous mass, not as porous and brittle as natural block foam. Most likely, you can distinguish them if you just scrape the surface slightly with your fingernail, try to remove thin chips. Natural foam scratches more easily and its chips are fragile, crumble under the nail. Artificial, on the other hand, is more like plastic - elastic, denser, it is more difficult to scratch and the chips practically do not crumble. The pressed foam is much more granular than natural and due to the heterogeneity and lower viscosity of the structure when smoking, that is, rather sharp heating, it often crumbles and breaks in the hands. In short, try not to take a pipe made of artificial, pressed foam, regardless of the sometimes significant difference in prices. Natural foam tubes are now cut ONLY in Turkey. Some firms buy ready-made pipes there, and change the mouthpieces to their own. Usually, these pipes are stamped Block meerschaum. But also not always.

PIPE CARE

There are many misconceptions about meerschaum pipes. Remember that no two pipes are the same, no two smokers are the same. Do not be afraid to once again pick up a pipe, smoke it. This does not harm her at all. A meerschaum pipe, in addition to the usual pleasure of smoking, also gives additional pleasure with its color, shape, carving, and pattern. Having bought a meerschaum pipe, remember that your new purchase is very delicate and fragile. You can't drop it, you can't beat the ashes out of it. Ash must be removed with a spatula from your stompbox, and very carefully so as not to injure the inner surface of the chamber. Then the pipe will "grow old" beautifully, acquire a noble appearance and will bring joy to its owner for a long time to come. There is an erroneous opinion that Meerschaum pipes are not smoked and that they "do not acquire taste". Smoking meerschaum pipes in the sense that you smoke heather pipes is not really necessary - you can completely fill your cup the first time and enjoy your pipe without going through the painful (for some) procedure of smoking. A meerschaum pipe develops carbon deposits over time, in which it heats up less and due to which it acquires taste. Unlike briar pipes, which must be dried after each use, meerschaum pipes can be smoked many times a day due to the material's high absorption rate.

CLEANING THE SMOKE DUCT

To clean the smoke channel in pipes, a cotton cloth is used, wound around a metal rod that runs through the entire pipe inside the stem and mouthpiece. Cleaners are quite inexpensive and are divided into two main types: soft and fluffy to remove moisture, and thin and flexible to remove solid sediment inside the smoke channel. If the pipe becomes dirty, take a cotton or any other soft cloth, drop a liquid containing a small amount of alcohol on it and gently wipe the tube until the contamination is removed. Just remember that this must be done without fail after the tube has completely cooled down. And it is desirable that the liquid does not have a pronounced odor. Therefore, lotions, toilet water and other perfumes are not suitable categorically. However, if you like Mac Baren with the refreshing Eau Sauvage fragrance from Dior, then the bottle is in your hands and full speed ahead. Freshener A liquid pipe cleaner that removes unpleasant odors and tar accumulated in the smoke channel, and also gives a pleasant and fresh smell to the pipe as a whole. Never wash the tube in hot water or scrub the outside of the tube. It should be noted that I read the following on one handbook for measles pipe smokers: "You should not boil your pipe, especially with cleaners and bleaches." It is also strange that they did not mention a washing machine and an abrasive machine with pobedite brushes for cleaning rocket nozzles from carbon deposits. Never bang the pipe against a hard surface to dislodge the ash. In the case of a meerschaum pipe, you will simply break it; in the case of a heather pipe, you will be considered a barbarian and a savage. Except when special pipe ashtrays with a cork "bit" are used. A meerschaum pipe does not require carbon inside the cup, like, say, a briar pipe. Therefore, as necessary, clean the cup of carbon deposits that have appeared. This should be done with a non-sharp, rounded tool. Be extremely careful when you clean the bottom of the cup at the exit of the smoke channel, because immediately after smoking, the foam in these places is moist and soft. Be careful when removing the mouthpiece from the tube. Be sure to hold the pipe with your fingers by the chubuk, and the mouthpiece itself is easy, without tension, pull towards you, while turning clockwise. Do the same when you insert it. It would not be an exaggeration to say that over hundreds of years, meerschaum pipes have gained a reputation as the most pleasant, comfortable to smoke. Also because each pipe is not only an ordinary smoking device, but also a unique handmade work of art, made according to traditions passed down by craftsmen from generation to generation. Of course, this cannot but give the owner of such a pipe some additional pride and satisfaction from the mere consciousness of owning such a thing.

Smoking pipe

Smoking pipe- Tobacco pipe, a smoking device for smoking tobacco, cut and specially prepared. Smoking a pipe is one of the first ways to consume it. The pipe was widely used until the beginning of the 20th century, when it was greatly supplanted by cigarettes and cigarettes. In our time, pipe smoking is common in a narrow circle of connoisseurs.

Briar pipe Savinelli, panel billiards, form 502-506

An oriental modification of a smoking pipe is a hookah, however it has a more complex system and is used for smoking not only tobacco, but also herbal mixtures.

modern pipe

For three centuries, the pipe itself and attitudes towards it have undergone significant changes. From a simple and cheap smoking device, it has become part of the image. From a mass product of obscure artisans and large mechanized factories, the pipe is increasingly becoming an expensive piece of quality goods. Instead of template forms, copyright forms are increasingly used. The collection of rare and highly artistic specimens is developing, clubs of connoisseurs are being formed.

Materials used for manufacturing

A modern good pipe is usually briar or, more rarely, meerschaum. Such a pipe, even a factory-made one, cannot have a bargain price.

Wood

Briar pipe

Corn cob

Corn cob tube

Quite high-quality and cheap pipes of this type were common in America in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Corn pipe is considered by connoisseurs to be a worthy alternative to briar pipes in terms of "taste". They burn out quickly (in less than 2 years), after which they have to be replaced with new ones, since this is not a problem due to their low price.

Metal

Tobacco pipe metal is only used to make parts of the stem, mouthpiece, or trim. Pipes with a metal cup (usually of Eastern origin), as well as wooden pipes with a strictly conical cup, are usually used for drugs like hashish and opium.

Stone

Other materials

Pipes are made from birch, mahogany, or even breadcrumbs. Recently, plastic pipes have appeared.

Due to the poor characteristics of these materials, these tubes can be considered souvenir.

Tube device

Sectional smoking pipe

The tube consists of several parts, each of which performs certain functions. They are, in principle, the same for all types of tubes.

Cup- this is a round wide part of the tube, inside which there is a tobacco chamber. The size of the cup depends on the type of tobacco used: large cups are best for tobaccos that burn relatively quickly, small cups are best for slow-smoldering tobaccos.

tobacco chamber- part of the pipe cup filled with tobacco. On the walls of the tobacco chamber during smoking, a layer of soot is formed that protects the wood and absorbs moisture. Such a protective layer is sometimes applied already during the manufacture of the pipe (this process is called carbonization), but often this does not eliminate manual smoking.

Chubuk- is a continuation of the cup, they are often made from one blank. The chibouk, which is hollow inside, serves as a conductor of smoke from the cup to the mouthpiece. Some pipes have holes in the stem through which air enters the smoke channel and mixes with the smoke, thereby facilitating smoking.

Mouthpiece- this is the part of the pipe, one end of which the smoker holds in his mouth, and the other is connected to the pipe. It creates an airtight connection with the shank, but it must be cleaned separately.

There are two main types of mouthpieces: cone-shaped (regular, straight) and curved (saddle-shaped). All of them are either flat ("wide channel") or round ("round channel") flue opening. If the hole is divided inside, such a mouthpiece is called "two-channel".

Mouthpiece (bite)- this is the end of the mouthpiece, which is held between the teeth and lips. Its shape largely determines the sensations obtained when smoking.

The usual mouthpiece is the traditional and most common form: the end of the mouthpiece is flat, and the smoke from the channel expanding towards the exit falls directly on the tongue. To avoid this, a special type of mouthpiece was invented - the Peterson system. In this case, the smoke exits through the hole in the top of the mouthpiece towards the palate. The tip of the tongue is located in a small recess in the mouthpiece. The benefits of this form must be judged for yourself - for some smokers, smoke going to the palate is less pleasant than when it comes into contact with the tongue. True, pipes with such mouthpieces are a little more difficult to clean.

Mouthpiece neck (trunnion)- part of the mouthpiece, through which it is connected to the shank. Usually, this is the weakest part of the design. It can be made of metal on a cone - usually made of silver.

smoke channel- the space through which the smoke passes from the cup to the mouthpiece through the chubuk. Can be designed to use an insert filter. The quality of the channel dressing greatly affects the properties of the tube as a whole.

Filter- replaceable insert in the smoke channel for regulation and cooling of the smoke flow. It is usually made in the form of a cardboard sleeve with activated carbon or a paper roll with a diameter of 3, 6 or 9 mm. There are filters in the form of balsa cylinders, as well as other exotic and home-made designs. The tube is specially made for a filter of a certain size, but the filter tube can be used without a filter, or with a special reusable insert that replaces it. It is believed that the filter also serves to adsorb nicotine and tar, as well as to reduce the moisture content in tobacco smoke, but its role is much less important than that of a cigarette filter, since the pipe smoker does not inhale. Almost all filters affect the taste experience, and if the tobacco is too aromatic or spicy, the filter can protect against tongue burning. But when smoking high-quality tobacco blends, sometimes the most delicate taste tones are absorbed, which, in fact, give pleasure to the smoker. Less than others, filters made of balsa wood, foam or paper affect the taste. If you do not remove the filter after smoking, then it returns the moisture accumulated by it to the wood and the pipe simply deteriorates.

Pipe accessories

Pack of pipe cleaners

Before smoking, the pipe must be stuffed; when smoking, it is necessary to properly compact the ashes; after smoking, clean it. The tube needs to be stored somewhere and carried in something. For these reasons, the tube requires a number of related items:

• Toptalka, otherwise - tamper. Serves to seal the tobacco in the bowl when stuffing and smoking. It happens both as a separate object and as part of a "tee" along with an awl and a spoon. May be art and collectible.
• Yorshik. Usually, brushes are disposable, sold in packs. They come in different colors, thicknesses and lengths. They can be used for crafts, including children's - they can be bent, they are fluffy, keep their shape.
• Various types of tobacco cans. An essential requirement for them is that the jar is tightly closed and does not have its own strong smell. For this reason, the range of cans is very wide: from washed cans to special, expensive and piece ones. If a pouch is used, then only for carrying a supply for a few days. In factory packaging, tobacco can be stored for a long time only until the package is opened.
• Various kinds of storage stands, from the simplest to large cabinets and display cases.
• Knives and other various tools for caring for soot.
• Tube bags. Designed for several pipes, they usually have room for minimal supplies - tobacco, filters, brushes.
• Pipe lighters. Good pipe lighters do not give off foreign odors, their flame tongue, unlike conventional lighters, is directed sideways. However, perhaps the best means of lighting up are ordinary matches - they just need to be allowed to flare up.
• Care products such as polishes to improve appearance, cleaners, smoking pastes, etc. The benefits of using various chemicals for smoking and everyday pipe cleaning are debatable.

On the other hand, quite a few smokers don't take care of their pipes at all and keep them piled up in a heap anywhere. At the same time, they are quite satisfied with their pipes. When cleaning (which sooner or later will still be required), such pipes require more radical means, in addition, a well-used pipe of a good master is still valued lower than one that has been carefully maintained.

pipe smoking

What is a good pipe

The search for an answer to the question, what is a good pipe, is the cause of constant disputes among neophyte pipe smokers. The common opinion among snobs that a good pipe is an expensive pipe is only partly true, as there are plenty of examples to the contrary. It is true that a good pipe is more likely to be found among the expensive works of trusted artisans or well-known manufactories than among cheap pipes of unknown provenance.

"Proper" smoking

The most basic rule is that the pipe "do not stretch", that is, the ingress of tobacco smoke into the lungs is not allowed. The meaning of smoking a pipe, according to the numerous opinions of its adherents, is to evaluate the taste of tobacco, and only then to saturate the body with nicotine.

Most of the "rules" of pipe smoking are only private opinions on this matter. Only the general principles reflected in numerous FAQs remain fair. Competent recommendations only protect against making typical mistakes that obviously lead to bad or even dangerous results, for example, tongue burns and pipe burnout.

Stuffing methods

Tube tee

Stuffing a pipe is a purely individual matter, both for a person and for tobacco and pipes. There are a lot of stuffing methods.

For cut tobacco, the following generally accepted methods can be distinguished:

• Anyhow
• In two or three stages (sometimes they say, in “two fingers”, “three fingers”):
  Scooped from a pouch, or poured, a full pipe of tobacco, crushed to half. After - it is again “scooped up” completely, it is crushed to about two-thirds, and so on.
• The "Frank Method" where the tube is stuffed using a pre-assembled large wad substantially larger than the cup of the tube

For pressed tobacco, the following generally accepted methods can be distinguished:

• Crush, knead and act like with a cut
• Cut into cubes and sprinkle
• Cut into plates, roll them up and / or crumple

A very common mistake is too tight stuffing, when the tube is pulled tight and constantly goes out. Stuffing at long smoking competitions is a separate issue.

Smoking a pipe

Every pipe is smoked for the best taste. There is no reliable recipe for exactly how to do this. In any case, smoking refers to the thoughtful transfer of a pipe from a new state to a working state. We can say that a new tube always requires careful handling, if only because its properties are not yet fully known. Smoking can lead to unexpected effects - both a strong improvement in the properties of the pipe, and the detection of unpleasant defects and disappointment.

Smoking approaches are highly dependent on pipe material, pipe design, tobacco used, personal preference, tradition, and prejudice. Occasionally, there is a highly controversial opinion that only an experienced smoker should smoke a pipe. So-called "pre-smoked" pipes are actually only treated in a special way to reduce the risk of burnout and facilitate smoking (so-called "carbonization").

Meerschaum pipes are a rare ideal.

Now it's hard to believe, but such an "exotic" as a meerschaum pipe appeared at the beginning of the 18th century, i.e. about a hundred years earlier than briar. And although the latter are the most common type of smoking pipes in our time, meerschaum (from German Meerschaum) is the material that true connoisseurs of tobacco must definitely get acquainted with. Not because it is better than briar (it simply makes no sense to compare it with other materials), but because it has a number of fundamental and very interesting differences.

There is no dispute about the tastes of tobacco, as well as about all other varieties of tastes. But for those who like to experiment and find new taste sensations, it is recommended to smoke the same tobacco in a briar and meerschaum pipe. In the first case, the tobacco gets an extra touch from the burnt briar. The meerschaum pipe does not burn (and, by the way, does not burn through), in principle, and gives an absolutely clean, rich, slightly cooler and drier tobacco smoke than briar.

The fact is that meerschaum is a mineral that cannot burn by its nature. The unique combination of all the same properties that briar possesses makes it ideal for making pipes: high porosity and, accordingly, hygroscopicity, heat resistance, low thermal conductivity and ease of processing. The only drawback of foam is that, unlike briar, it cannot be grown in 30-40 years. Meerschaum is a sepiolite, the fossilized remains of marine organisms that died many tens of millions of years ago. It is impossible to artificially reproduce this material, although such a thing as "polymer meerschaum" exists, but would you buy, say, "polymer briar"?

Sepiolite is the rarest mineral that is found in several countries of the world, but its variety suitable for smoking pipes is mined only in the north-west of Turkey, near the city of Eskisehir. The situation is approximately the same as with heather: it grows in many places, but only the Mediterranean briar is ideal for smoking pipes.

Those who want to buy a real, high-quality meerschaum pipe need to know one more important detail. It must be made from a single or as they call it a “block” meerschaum. And the export of this material from Turkey has been banned since the 1970s. Therefore, if we are not talking about "antiques" - a meerschaum pipe with a half-century history, then it cannot be produced anywhere except in Turkey. Or, it is not Turkish, but, most likely, African meerschaum with other properties.

In addition to taste differences, the possession of a foam pipe gives the smoker one more aesthetic pleasure inaccessible to any other material. Over time, the initially snow-white meerschaum begins to turn golden and brown. Shades and play of colors are impossible to predict. It depends not only on the individual structure of the material of this particular pipe, but even more so on what kind of tobacco and how often its owner smokes.

Therefore, if you want to buy something absolutely perfect for yourself or make a gift to a person who knows a lot about pipes, there is no more interesting and original thing than the author's "bag" made from "sea foam".