Why Buy Meerschaum?
Put simply, because it affords a unique smoking experience. Meerschaum - one of the most porous substances found in nature - acts as a filter, absorbs tobacco tars and nicotine, and yields a most satisfying smoke. As it ages, meerschaum colors a rich honey-brown, improving both in appearance and taste. Meerschaum pipes - with a minimum of proper care - will last for a lifetime. As beautiful as meerschaum is to the eye, its true beauty must be experienced. A meerschaum is made to smoke. The meerschaum is not meant for the connoisseur alone. All pipe smokers can experience the unique pleasure of meerschaum.

Meerschaum - A Gift From The Sea
"Meerschaum" is a German word meaning literally, "sea foam." Meerschaum is a mineral - hydrous silicate of magnesium - of organic origin. Composed of the fossilized shells of tiny sea creatures that fell to the ocean floor millions of years ago.

Meerschaum deposits of the highest quality are found only in one place in the world - in the small city of Eskishehir in central Turkey. And here the deposits are confined to an area of only four square miles. Mined with hand tools, and by men trained in this singular family tradition, meerschaum is excavated at depths ranging from 200 to 300 feet. The block-meerschaum - not to be confused with pressed meerschaum - is shipped to the manufacturer. And only the purest 10% of this block meerschaum is judged suitable for CAO pipes.

Crafting The World's Finest Pipes
Nearly 300 years ago, the first meerschaum pipe was carved by hand. And today, these unique pipes are still carved by hand. Block-Meerschaum is soaked in water for 15 to 30 minutes until the material achieves a cheese-like consistency. Working with the softened material, the carver determines the rough shape of the pipe before the bowl and draft hole are bored. Like all fine hand-crafted articles, no two meerschaums are alike. Then carved meerschaum goes into the kiln at high temperature, a process that removes all moisture from the mineral.

After meticulous polishing with the finest grade abrasives, the meerschaum is ready for waxing. Though there are many different wax formulas, beeswax alone yields the rich coloring associated with the finest meerschaums. Melted and then bleached, the beeswax is ready to receive the pipe itself. The subtle differences in color and tone among CAO pipes are intentional, achieved by careful dipping of the pipes a specific number of times.

Some Do's and Don'ts For CAO Meerschaum Smokers
Don't be afraid to handle or hold your meerschaum with clean hands. Remember, you purchased a meerschaum primarily for your smoking pleasure. The added pleasure you derive from a meerschaum is watching it color as you smoke it.

The conventional wisdom on this topic is that handling a meerschaum while warm removes the beeswax coating on the pipe, which highlights its coloring. While this is true, only the purist - the smoker far more concerned with the look of his pipe than his own smoking pleasure - need worry about it. Besides you can replace the wax coating removed by handling very simply with CAO's Meerschaum Antiquing Compound.

Do take care when removing the stem from the bowl of your meerschaum. Remove the stem of your CAO meerschaum by pulling it and twisting it clockwise while supporting the shank with the fingers. Replace the stem by pushing it and twisting it clockwise also. A little care here will be repaid through a lifetime of smoking pleasure.

Don't tap your CAO meerschaum against a hard surface. If you tap it in your palm, be sure to support the shank firmly with your hand. This is sound advice for briar pipe smokers also.

Don't worry about "breaking in" your CAO meerschaum. Meerschaum pipes, unlike briars, do not burn and hence need not be protected by a carbon "cake" inside the bowl.

Do clean the cake or residue inside the bowl of your meerschaum. Use a sharp-edged, blunt-ended tool. Avoid digging into the heel of the pipe when cleaning the draft hole by not allowing the pipe cleaner to extend too far into the bowl.

Smoke your favorite blend in your CAO meerschaum. Each pipe will color differently. However, this process depends on how often you smoke, not on what tobacco you smoke.

McCranie's Pipe and Tobacco Shop will be pleased to answer any further questions you may have about CAO meerschaum pipes.