Most intriguing. How is the weight-for-size? In addition to briars and cobs, I have several Mountain Laurel pipes and a Cocobolo, all by Jerry Perry of Colfax, N.C. He also works in maple, and I may look into one of those at the pipe show next month, if I make it. It is difficult to match briar as a material, but Mountain Laurel is good-smoking and durable. Note: Jerry Perry only sells at the N.C. State Fair Village of Yesteryear and the TAPS pipe show at the Fairgrounds in April, but not online at all. "If I sold online, I'd spend all my time taking pictures and not making pipes," Jerry says. He's an independent guy and his direct sales match his output, I think. He's content.
Oak is an interesting alternative. Not easy wood to carve, but if it smokes well, it's an option.