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Turkish Meerschaum is the worlds best. Its lightness and porosity make it ideal for tobacco pipes. It also is virtually burn out proof and needs no break in. Turkish block meerschaum pipes also have a natural wicking quality that absorbs tars and smoke impurities — this gives a neutral flavor profile. As a meerschaum pipe absorbs these over time, it will begin to develop a patina, slowly darkening and develop a warmer color. For those who prefer immediate color, IMP stains some bowls.

All IMP Meerschaums are hand carved in Turkey from the best block meerschaum in an atölye (artisans workshop). Meerschaum (magnesium silicate/sepiolite) is a porous white, mineral first used for pipe making in the 1720’s. When wetted it becomes similar to potters clay & easily carved. The word "meerschaum" is German for "seafoam", named due to its appearance when pieces were found floating in the Black Sea.

Meerschaum is dug up by hand from tunnels in the earth. It is then split into blocks for differently sized pipes. IMP meerschaum pipes are hand made by skilled craftsmen in stages. An apprentice roughs out the shape, and a master comes in later to do the carving and detailing (such as the figural pipes). Then it is kiln dried. After they are polished with glass-paper, bathed in natural beeswax & then polished with bone ash. This protects the bowl surface & aids the coloring process over time.

IMP avoids the wearing out problems of earlier times. Each IMP is sleeved in the shank to accept a smooth nylon tenon, that will be similar to removing the stem from a briar pipe. Every IMP Meerschaum Pipes use a high grade delrin push-pull, tenon and mortise, with a Lucite or Acrylic stem, and a 4mm draft hole. Each pipe comes in a fitted carved wood case that is lined and leather covered. Meerschaum pipes don't burn out and each will color differently from the bottom up over the years.

That is why we know IMP Meerschaums to be the best made best value in a Meerschaum pipe.

Information and Photos Courtesy, pipes2smoke.com

Imppipes - Isik Luletasi Hayv. Nakl. San & Tic. Ltd.

IMP USA INC is the registered principal of “IMP” as a Trademark under International Class 034.

All carving takes place at our workshop in Eskisenir, Turkey

All products are sold and distributed through IMP USA INC

An excellent selection of IMP pipes is available at Pipedia Underwriter, Pipes2Smoke.com

Contact Information:

IMP USA INC
Steven L. Whetstone
President

http://impmeerschaumpipes.com/