Turkish pipes?

[Gunpowder]

I used to dabble in pipes briefly in college but have stuck to cigars for years and don't currently own one. With my short time periods available for smoking stogies each day, I was thinking of getting a pipe again and wondered if there was any advantage to having a brother who lives in Istanbul?

I think my dad mentioned a planned trip to Turkey in Feb. Thought I might have him pick up something maybe.

 

[Mr Peat]

A lot of the nicer Meershaum pipes are made in Turkey anyways. Probably one advantage you will have is that your brother can get a nice pipe there way way way cheaper than in the USA. As for quality...you pay for what your get in pipes. But the economy is so much different there than here. Especially if it isnt Imported in. I hope that helps. :thumbs:

 

[Newfie]

I'll agree with Peaty on Turkish quality & price. If I were going to Turkey, I'd be sure to stock up on a few Turkish Meers.

 

[Gunpowder]

I know what you are saying. Our extended families have several Turkish Rugs. They are guaranteed in that My brother knows the person who sold them and if they need repaired he will fix them for free.

Regarding Pipes. Anything I should instruct them to be looking for? I assume they would find several hand-made ones as well as commercial ones.

 

[Mr Peat]

What you can do is a Google search on Turkish pipes aka Meershaum. Then you can send the links to your brother so he can learn about them a tad and thus be an informed buyer. Personally I would look for flaws in the pipes. Also how the stem sits in the pipe. Also look for potential spots that may have chips and or cracks. That would be a bad thing especially if you want to smoke them.

 

[toje]

CAO sells Meershaum pipes......any store that carries CAO's can get the pipes as well.

 

[Mr Peat]

CAO sells Meershaum pipes......any store that carries CAO's can get the pipes as well.

It would be cheaper to get the same pipe sold on Ebay than getting it in any B&M shop from personal experience. And it should be way cheaper to get them in Turkey as you are not paying the Import fees and every thing else they tax on it. I will give an example eventho it isnt related to pipes. I bought a 20oz cup of Cafe Mocha and a nice sized Guava filled cookie for $1 US and that same order in the US would have cost me anywhere from $5 to $10 depending on location. The quality of the coffee was way better than most coffee found in the USA. Thus it should be cheaper for his brother to get the pipe in Turkey as he is there.