It's 4:15 in the morning and my wife is fast asleep, which gives me an opportunity to smoke a bowl. So I'm having a bowl of Cult Militia and a cup of decaf tea. Hope I can eventually drift off to sleep after this. Insomnia is a bitch.
@ghostsofpompeii I have nights like that every now and then (about 1 or 2 nights a month), so I can empathize. Hoping for you some better nights ahead brother...
I don't have to wait so long tonight. It's only 9:49 and I'm smoking some "Officer's Club" while watching the Charlie Chan movie "City In Darkness". Life is beautiful.
Doing some RLP-6 in a reworked super rough Willard while working on a pipe. I'll probably be posting it later today/tonight if I'm able to get it done...
This evening, after a dinner of a couple of grilled egg sandwiches, I have a Pete Deluxe Natural Rustic 2s loaded with a mix of C&D “Espresso” and a few pinches of The Briar Fellowship’s “Ravenwood-Leaves of Athelas”. I have a cup of hot java to pair.
I'm going to throw this out for consideration. On some pipe blog (can't remember where I saw it) I saw what I thought was a neat idea. As you already know, we here at TPL do a pretty good job during March Meerschaum Madness (MMM) smoking our meers. But to add to the that, I saw a guy(s) doing a Meerschaum Monday (MM). I thought I might start giving it a try. Between my briars and cobs, my meers seem to set in their racks and are nearly totally neglected. Anyway, I thought I'd run it past you guys for comments...
@motie2 I understand buddy. As you've already surmised, it's just a day that at the very least, will give those with meers a pause to consider smoking them more often. No harm or foul for those that don't/can't...
Sidenote: After years of smoking meers, I have come to the conclusion that smoking 2 bowls back to back results in a quicker development of culottage/patina. Obviously just the act of smoking more bowls speeds up the process. But I also believe (and I could be wrong), that retaining the internal heat for a longer period of time constitutes an environment to enhance the patina. No scientific proof here, just my observations... Thoughts? Sorry. Just found a thread I should have placed these comments. "Experience with meerschaum pipes". My apologies...
Patina mechanics: The golden-brown color (“culottage” or patina) on meerschaum results from the absorption of tars, oils, and moisture from tobacco smoke into the porous mineral. Heat accelerates the mobility of these compounds within the material.
Effect of smoking frequency: More bowls smoked equals more exposure to tars and oils. This alone speeds patina formation.
Back-to-back smoking: Prolonged heating may increase diffusion of absorbed compounds into the meerschaum matrix, enhancing the depth and evenness of coloration. Continuous warmth keeps the pores open longer, which could make absorption more efficient.
Counterpoint: Overheating can damage or crack meerschaum, or cause uneven staining. Traditional advice emphasizes slow, cool smoking for longevity of the pipe.
Your observation has a rational basis—extended internal heat likely does promote faster patina formation. However, the risk is accelerated wear or structural stress. Controlled, cooler smoking over time remains the safer way to develop patina evenly.
Comments
I don't know which is better a good tobac in a good pipe or a good nights sleep.
I have nights like that every now and then (about 1 or 2 nights a month), so I can empathize.
Hoping for you some better nights ahead brother...
I've always had a soft spot for a spigot.
You're pipe is a prime example why...
Put it on my list.🙂
I'll probably be posting it later today/tonight if I'm able to get it done...
Yep, if you haven’t figured it out yet…..I’m a sucker for sterling silver🙂
Now where did I put that list🤔
Hope you found the list...😏
This pipe really is a good smoker...
On some pipe blog (can't remember where I saw it) I saw what I thought was a neat idea.
As you already know, we here at TPL do a pretty good job during March Meerschaum Madness (MMM) smoking our meers. But to add to the that, I saw a guy(s) doing a Meerschaum Monday (MM).
I thought I might start giving it a try.
Between my briars and cobs, my meers seem to set in their racks and are nearly totally neglected.
Anyway, I thought I'd run it past you guys for comments...
i also support the idea. It would also, hopefully, increase forum participation and posting.
You have my moral support, but I cannot participate: EA Carey meers have always been out of my grasp…..
I understand buddy. As you've already surmised, it's just a day that at the very least, will give those with meers a pause to consider smoking them more often.
No harm or foul for those that don't/can't...
Obviously just the act of smoking more bowls speeds up the process. But I also believe (and I could be wrong), that retaining the internal heat for a longer period of time constitutes an environment to enhance the patina.
No scientific proof here, just my observations...
Thoughts?
Sorry. Just found a thread I should have placed these comments. "Experience with meerschaum pipes". My apologies...
Your statement is plausible but not conclusive.
Your observation has a rational basis—extended internal heat likely does promote faster patina formation. However, the risk is accelerated wear or structural stress. Controlled, cooler smoking over time remains the safer way to develop patina evenly.