ulsterpaddy’s post on “2 bad smokes” made me want to pose a few questions about briar density.
We’ve discussed how bowl shape, thickness, grain pattern, finishes (smooth, rusticated, sandblasted, and shellac) could possibly affect the pipes performance here: two questions and here: bowl temp but we have not directly addressed the question about bowl density. Will the density of the briar affect the pipes performance or your smoking experience?
1. We know that briar is dense but are some briars more dense than others?
2. If so, does this mean a less dense or more porous briar would absorb more spittle/juice/condensation than a more dense briar? If it absorbs more sour juice in the inner bowl bottom and shaft, then it would require cleaning more often to avoid a “bad smoke”.
3. Would a more dense briar smoke hotter or cooler (where not talking about wall thickness)? Does the denseness of the wood shield the outer bowl from the inner heat or would a more porous wood allow the heat to dissipate faster and more evenly and thus be a cooler smoke?
4. I have read that the grain in older briars is tighter (or finer) but does this mean denser?
5. Would the straight grain section of a pipe be denser than the bird’s eye section? Would it be analogous to asking if a piece of cardboard would soak up more if you pored liquid across its flat side or across the edge?
I have more but that’s enough for now.
Please note that I’m not trying to give the impression that a slightly more porous pipe is soaking up spittle like a sponge. But I do believe that any microscopic permeation by that soured condensation can negatively affect one’s pipe pleasure. Heat or steam intensifies the unpleasantness of left over spittle that may be present. You add heat or stem to any foul thing and its smells worse. Like turning your central heat on for the first time in the fall or winter or passing gas in a hot shower. :x
I look forward to your replies.
William
We’ve discussed how bowl shape, thickness, grain pattern, finishes (smooth, rusticated, sandblasted, and shellac) could possibly affect the pipes performance here: two questions and here: bowl temp but we have not directly addressed the question about bowl density. Will the density of the briar affect the pipes performance or your smoking experience?
1. We know that briar is dense but are some briars more dense than others?
2. If so, does this mean a less dense or more porous briar would absorb more spittle/juice/condensation than a more dense briar? If it absorbs more sour juice in the inner bowl bottom and shaft, then it would require cleaning more often to avoid a “bad smoke”.
3. Would a more dense briar smoke hotter or cooler (where not talking about wall thickness)? Does the denseness of the wood shield the outer bowl from the inner heat or would a more porous wood allow the heat to dissipate faster and more evenly and thus be a cooler smoke?
4. I have read that the grain in older briars is tighter (or finer) but does this mean denser?
5. Would the straight grain section of a pipe be denser than the bird’s eye section? Would it be analogous to asking if a piece of cardboard would soak up more if you pored liquid across its flat side or across the edge?
I have more but that’s enough for now.
Please note that I’m not trying to give the impression that a slightly more porous pipe is soaking up spittle like a sponge. But I do believe that any microscopic permeation by that soured condensation can negatively affect one’s pipe pleasure. Heat or steam intensifies the unpleasantness of left over spittle that may be present. You add heat or stem to any foul thing and its smells worse. Like turning your central heat on for the first time in the fall or winter or passing gas in a hot shower. :x
I look forward to your replies.
William