Hobbies And Interests
Home  >> Collecting >> Other Collecting

How to Restore a Meerschaum

Meerschaum, a white, porous mineral highly prized in the construction of tobacco pipes, was literally named "sea foam" by German sailors. According to pipetips.com, the finest meerschaum is found and mined only in central Turkey near the village of Eskisehir. After cleaning, the raw pieces of meerschaum are either machined into pipe bowls or hand-carved by artisans into ornate pipes. Restoring an older meerschaum pipe can be accomplished with patience and care. Always hold the bowl of the pipe in a clean cloth while you work.

Things You'll Need

  • Soft cotton cloths
  • Non-bristled pipe cleaners
  • Wood or denatured alcohol
  • Fine to medium gauge emery cloth
  • Pencil or similar sized dowel
  • Shaving foam
Show More

Instructions

  1. Meerschaum Care

    • 1

      Hold the bowl with a clean cloth, and twist the stem clockwise while pulling on it.

    • 2

      Bend a pipe cleaner in half, dip it in alcohol, and gently run it through the stem. Repeat, using a dry pipe cleaner. Continue alternating a wet and dry pipe cleaner until the pipe cleaner come out clean.

    • 3

      Wrap a pencil or dowel in emery cloth, and very gently use it to swab cake buildup out of the bowl. Repeat several times, readjusting emery cloth as needed.

    • 4

      Using a bent pipe cleaner, repeat Step 3, being careful not to scratch the interior of the bowl.

    • 5

      Dip a soft cloth in a small amount of alcohol, and swab out the bowl gently. Allow to air dry.

    • 6

      Moisten another soft cloth with a very small amount of shaving cream, and lightly rub it over the outside of bowl.


https://www.htfbw.com © Hobbies And Interests