A Question On Materials

[blueeyedogre]

I want to start it off with the statement that I am not trying to start a debate on "which is better" or "why this is better then that". I've been a member on here and spoken to enough pipe smokers to know everyone has their opinions and experiences. This is more putting the question out there of what pros and cons have others experienced with the various materials used in the making of pipes. I know there are several materials to choose from such as Briar(of course), Meerschaum, Morta, Clay, Non-Briar Woods (Olive and Cherry for example), metals or plastics, and of course Cobs. I'll start with my own experiences.....

Briar: To me Briar is our jump off point, almost every piper I've ever spoken to started on a Briar or Cob pipe.
PROS: A vast abundance of shapes, sizes designs to choose from. Tried and true material.
CONS: If you smoke a lot you'll need several to allow for rest times and drying.

Meerschaum: (I'm speaking to Turkish as its the most common)
PROS: Also many shapes and sizes, little to no rest time needed, cool watching the bowl colour over time.
CONS: Fragile, marks easily, the more ornate pipes difficult to use in daily activities.

Cobs:
PROS: Open air ways, inexpensive, durable..... did I mention inexpensive? Mark Twain approved!
CONS: Life span may not be as long as other materials without some TLC.

Clay:
PROS: Inexpensive, no ghosting, make you feel uber cool (like a sailor)
CONS: Fragile, almost always on the smaller side, tend to smoke hot if not careful, not for clenching without steps (soft bits).

I won't speak to Morta or Non-briar woods as I have owned or tried neither but I'd love to hear others impressions of them!
Feel free to jump on and add your own opinions of various materials and even various designs. Tell us why you smoke the pipes you do and why!

 

[Shore]

A thing I like about meerschaum is the ability to dump, repack and relight...

The same can be said for Peterson system pipes, and the various metal pipes that can have the moisture dumped or absorbed (I am a big fan of Wiebe)...didn't see metal above...My $0.02

 

[Peter Turbo]

For me its Briar and Meerschaum and nothing else

Clay? What is it the 17th Century? lol
Cob? Why would I smoke out of a vegetable? lol

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I've smoked all 4. Meers aren't as fragile as you think. Clays are a PITA for multiple reasons.

 

[Epip Oc'Cabot]

For me its Briar and Meerschaum and nothing else

Clay? What is it the 17th Century? lol
Cob? Why would I smoke out of a vegetable? lol

Hmm. I seem to remember some folks back in college in the 70s who would smoke something out of a pipe they had carved in an apple .

 

[khiddy]

Clays are useful for testing flavors of a blend as they don’t flavor the smoke as a briar or cob can, but I don’t find myself reaching for a clay when I want a relaxing, lazy, contemplative smoke session. The ones I have are too small for a long smoke, though obviously I could seek out a larger bowl.

One thing to note is that you can get clay-stummeled pipes that are fitted to standard (acrylic or vulcanite) stems, and thereby mitigate the not-great-for-clenching issue if that’s something you like to do.

 

[The Benedictine]

I love my cobs. I have 5. I love my briars. I have 12. Soon I'll add a meerschaum and I'll let you know.

 

[Peter Turbo]

Hmm. I seem to remember some folks back in college in the 70s who would smoke something out of a pipe they had carved in an apple .

I was gonna mention that myself and it wasnt during the 70s I can tell you that much
More like in the early 2000's in my friends shed, lol.

 

[warren]

If you smoke a lot you'll need several to allow for rest times and drying.

I've not found that to be true. A personal choice to be sure,

Meerschaum fragility? If ornately carved care to not drop is required. Otherwise, standard shapes, while prone to scuffs and scares, are no more fragile than the same shapes in briar.

I consider cobs to be "disposables." Cheap,for the most part.

I'm more into enjoying my pipes. Some have been knocked about and show wear and tear, briar and meers. I maintain them in good smoking condition and pay little attention to exterior appearance. They are, to me, tools for the most part.

We all treat our pipes differently. Some reverently, some as icons and so forth. But, I'm one to treat my pipes slavishly.

 

[Waning Embers]

If you smoke a lot you'll need several to allow for rest times and drying.

Only if you hang them up uncleaned. Cured briar is mostly hydrophobic and doesn't soak up much moisture. If thoroughly cleaned they can be used daily multiple times per day.

Fragile, marks easily, the more ornate pipes difficult to use in daily activities.

Only pipes with internal flaws are fragile. I had an eleven inch skeletal hand holding a skull that fell and hit my kitchen floor. It left a dent in the linoleum but the pipe was unscathed.

 

[Dshift]

For me its Briar and Meerschaum and nothing else

Clay? What is it the 17th Century? lol
Cob? Why would I smoke out of a vegetable? lol

I agree 100% on all of your points, but I love my one singular vegetable

 

[Sig]

I have owned and smoked pipes from all known materials....you know what I mean.
Briar and corn cobs are my thing.
I also have a few Meerschaums, but rarely smoke them.
Im a tobacco guy.
The best flavor with the least fuss.
I know Meerschaum has the flavor, but its outweighed by the fuss.
I had a Morta....it fell on the concrete....the stem not only broke flush, but it exploded. Its in the house, I haven't seen it in years...I believe its a Moretti.
You can see how impressed I was with it. To be fair, its just a poorly made pipe with a tight draw and tiny bowl.
I have some clays, some Brylon, some Ceramic.....but briar and corn are for me.
The ceramic pipes pipes like this one, actually taste very good. Every bit as good as Meerschaum, but they get hot....and they are extremely FRAGILE....that means breakable, its not Italian. If you get that reference, you're old.

 

[The Benedictine]

I have owned and smoked pipes from all known materials....you know what I mean.
Briar and corn cobs are my thing.
I also have a few Meerschaums, but rarely smoke them.
Im a tobacco guy.
The best flavor with the least fuss.
I know Meerschaum has the flavor, but its outweighed by the fuss.
I had a Morta....it fell on the concrete....the stem not only broke flush, but it exploded. Its in the house, I haven't seen it in years...I believe its a Moretti.
You can see how impressed I was with it. To be fair, its just a poorly made pipe with a tight draw and tiny bowl.
I have some clays, some Brylon, some Ceramic.....but briar and corn are for me.
The ceramic pipes pipes like this one, actually taste very good. Every bit as good as Meerschaum, but they get hot....and they are extremely FRAGILE....that means breakable, its not Italian. If you get that reference, you're old.
View attachment 405546

 

[Sig]

View attachment 405557

You're old.

 

[The Benedictine]

You're old.

I'm only 35

 

[Dshift]

I'm only 35

Ha someone younger than me on this forum

 

[The Benedictine]

Ha someone younger than me on this forum

I think I might be the youngest here. I started smoking a pipe when I was 20. Smoked fags until then.

 

[Dshift]

I think I might be the youngest here. I started smoking a pipe when I was 20. Smoked fags until then.

Then I call dibs on second youngest at 37

 

[Waning Embers]

Then I call dibs on second youngest at 37

That's younger than most of us here.

 

[sardonicus87]

There's a couple of us around in our 30's... I'm only 38.