“Calm and Objective Judgement”: The Meerschaum Pipe

“Calm and Objective Judgement…”

Who couldn’t use a little more of that (especially in this town)?

In 1950, Albert Einstein wrote, “I believe that pipe smoking contributes to a somewhat calm and objective judgement in all human affairs.”

Watch any pipe smoker and you’ll see that it’s true:  Each puff is time to ponder; each light, a chance to reason.  As winter wraps its cloak around us, many turn to their pipes more often.  And for hundreds of years, intricately carved meerschaum pipes have been a favorite pipe of many calm and objective souls.

What exactly is meerschaum, and why would you choose it over a briar pipe?

Meerschaum is a silicate– a very special mineral composed of compressed, fossilized shells of sea creatures that have developed in the clay, sand, and gravel plains in Eskisehir, Turkey.

Meerschaum is mined deep underground, and by its delicate nature is difficult to acquire in pieces large enough to carve the intricate designs we often associate with these pipes. Business Insider posted a video that does a great job of illustrating this process.

The craftsmen who carve these pipes are praised for their artistry, the history of which dates back to the 1600s. Today, there are fewer and fewer master carvers despite an increase in demand.

As for the quality of the smoke, meerschaum is exceptionally porous, absorbing much of the tar and nicotine from tobacco leaving you with a pure taste and a cool smoke. Over time, you can see the color of your smoked meerschaum changing (and if you smoke our Reverie blend, it will actually take on a lovely rose-colored hue).

We hand select each of the meerschaum pipes we carry to ensure quality and craftsmanship. Whether you choose to smoke them or simply display them, we’re sure you’ll appreciate them as much as we do!