I've had a number of different brands of meerschaum pipes over the years but only recently obtained a couple of IMP meerschaums. I found these pipes to be of the highest quality from the stone used to the excellent engineering. Another benefit to smoking an IMP is the price. None of the IMP meers I've seen for sale appear to be overpriced. If anything, they smoke well above their price range.

I have two IMP meers. They both are straight billiards. None passes the pipe cleaner test. Sorry, I don't recommend them.

I've got three, they are all good smokers for the money.

Is a Ismil meerschaum brand new worth 35.00?

i found it interesting when checking out specific models of imp pipes on the official website that the description specifically mentions that the pipe passes the cleaner test.
my straight imps easily pass a cleaner and when i use a falcon pipe cleaner, even the bents generally do!
sorry some are dissatisfied in that respect. i'm not and am generally pleased with the quality, draw and certainly value for the price!
jrtaster/john

Gents, I was going to post a question about the quality of these pipes and I exchanged a couple emails with Sinan Altinok and he spoke very highly of them and carries them on his personal website. To me, that is a pretty big deal!

Any new opinions?

I love the big minimalist meerschaums that look really modern.

Got my mitt set on this one.

Ok, can't post it, YET.

It's an IMF smooth meerschaum take on a cherrywood. Gorgeous pipe I found on "smoking-pipes" website

When you get it, you must post pictures!

I have heard good things about IMF, SMS, Baki and Altinok meers, myself. One day I will discover this on my own.

My opinion about imp. I had one who was so good that i sold about 2-3 others meerschaums i had by then and decided to keep this one only.Then later a Baki arrived at me.I found the Baki to be even better and then decided to sell my imp and keep the Baki only.The difference for this judgement was of course the tenon connector(briar type) found in imp and Baki.I do not want a screw connector again after trying this system.Altrough i have several briars,i only keep one meerschaum and that should be,in my opinion,the best.

$35 meerschaums are typically made from meerschaum that is ground up scrap meerschaum and like particle board, bonded into a meerschaum composite. They aren't as good as a real meerschaum. $100 is about is cheap as the real ones get. Unless it's a mini meerschaum maybe.

I agree with Ib: The Baki meerschaums are the best; engineered to be a good smoker. Only available through one source, though, so one does have to pay a premium.

The way I understand it is the composite variety doesn't absorb moisture like block meerschaum nor does it color very well if at all due to the bonding agents.

Care should be taken in not smoking your meerschaum too hot. It discolors them. Cold weather like 30 deg and below is known to crack them as well. You probably read all that too.