Preferred Type of Finish?

Beardedavenger, I admire your bold attitude about changing the finish on your pipe. I've always wanted

a Big Ben or other pipe from the Netherlands, to broaden the geographical representation of my pipes.

I'm a minimalist on treating the finish of pipes. I leave it at polishing with a soft cloth preferably when

the pipe is still a little warm from smoking, after emptying the bowl with a pipe tool, wiping it out with

tissue, and cleaning it with a pipe cleaner. I might go for a really light coat of the right oil now and

then. I think it would be easy to over wax and/or oil a bowl and end up with residue that would be worse

than any wear. A certain amount of visible wear is a good thing, develops the character of a pipe.

But I'm glad to take instruction from you guys. I learn a lot, whether I take the advice or not. I'd rather

know about these treatments for the briar and other pipe materials. I have had excellent luck

buying new unfinished briar pipes, some from years ago, that breathe really nicely, smoke cool, and

develop a tone and color enchanting as any meerschaum. I highly recommend them, and they seem

to give a price break on many of them. However, I have also had fine smoking from a few pipes with

well-sealed finishes that don't overheat, breathe fine, and smoke well. If pipe makers know what

they're doing, most finishes or no finish can work, if the knowhow is there.

I prefer darker finishes but I'm starting to warm up to lighter and natural finishes.

Lately, Walt Cannoy's suede blast. Mmmmmmm.
And my standby favorite: Becker's Morland Oak blast. My white whale pipe (in assorted shapes)

The traditional finish on briar pipes is pure carnauba wax applied on a buffing wheel.

I prefer a dark stain unless the briar has an especially nice grain, then a lighter stain shows it off nicely. I also prefer a smooth rather than rusticated or sand blasted.
As others have said, you don't want to seal the pipe with a hatch type varnish. Good luck with your project and I look forward to seeing some pictures.

Is that a morta pipe? How does it smoke?

Click to expand...

I think so; and I wish I knew, but if it smokes anything like my Becker - amazingly.