Adding a Briar - Maybe

[ash13brook]

Way back when I first started smoking a pipe, I had a small collection of briars. I always would get some slurp, which really made me nearly give it up. Then, one day, on a whim, I added a corn cob to my collection. No more slurp. Now, that's all I smoke.

But, lately, I've realized I've been smoking too fast, making my pipes hot to the touch. Now, I've slowed way down and my pipe now stays cool. I'm wondering if I was causing the problem all along.

All the briars are so nice. I'm getting the urge to buy a nice one, but, I don't want to buy one only to be disappointed. I looked at the Peterson System pipes, but they're pretty limited in the selection.

What do you folks think? Should I try a briar again?
Matt

 

[mlyvers]

sure, get one you will not have to spend alot of money. if you do, make sure that the air hole is at the bottom of the heel. also pull the stem and check for a cracked shank. make sure the air hole is centered going into the heel. iam asumming you know how to pack,light, and tapp while smoking. i like corn cobs myself. what kind of pipes do you currently own?.
mike.

 

[jgriff]

The simple answer is yes, you should try a briar again now that you've got your technique down.
The more complex answer is as to which briar manufacturer. Frankly, I'm of the opinion that you should buy what interests you but you'll hear from others championing or attacking certain brands. My opinion is the Peterson Systems are nice but all Peterson's seem to take a while to break-in compared to other brands so you won't get the best out of it for a while (20-25 bowls?). An estate pipe would solve that issue and estate Peterson Systems are pretty common out there. Personally, for the same amount of money, I would recommend a Savinelli and there are alot more choices of finish/shapes. But in the end, if you like the Peterson Systems, then by all means, go for it. It's not a poor choice.

 

[spartan]

To restore your faith in briar I would go with a Savenieli or tsuge.
They are great pipes, and won't break the bank.
Now that you have a greater grasp on your smoking technique you should be fine.

 

[numbersix]

Briars are by far the most popular material for pipe making, so it makes sense that most are enjoying theirs. The gurgle you were experience was likely caused by smoking too fast or poorly drilled pipes. IMHO, if you want to try a briar and not be disappointed, be prepared to spend at least $80, ideally more.
I cannot comment on Peterson System pipes - I've heard both good things and bad.
I agree with Spartan, a Savinelli in the $80-100 range represents one of the best values on the market. They also have a huge line of pipes - so you're bound to find you like. Good luck - hope you'll let us know what you decided.

 

[jah76]

I have two Peterson system pipes and honestly I haven't noticed them smoking any drier then my non system pipes. I always keep a pipe cleaner on hand anyway. Just run it down the stem and it'll get rid of the moisture. Fast puffin is fast puffin.
Also some shapes just seem to heat differently. I've got two Bell/Calabash/Dublins that always heat up in same spot due to the walls being thinner at the curve.
Beyond the arguments for briar vs cob (which I'm not jumping into), briar can be carved in so many fun and interesting shapes that cobs can't. I like my summertime cobs in the yard, but I love getting a big ole piece of briar hanging from my jaw when I want to relax.

 

[ash13brook]

I knew I could depend on you guys for a nudge!

I do have my eye on a Savinelli Carmella Rusticated 315KS. I'm gonna have to shake up the ol' change jar and see what's in there.

Thanks,

Matt

 

[zdwebb12]

ashbrook,
I too used to have the problem of the dreaded pipe gurgle. My pipe always tasted wonderful until I got about 2/3 of the way through and then I would notice a slight gurgle and my tobacco would taste sour for the rest of the bowl. Now some people may disagree with me here, but I'm convinced that 90% of the time you get a gurgle it's because you are smoking too fast/hard. Some other causes may be: a poorly situated draft hole or overly moist tobacco.
I only smoke out of briars so I would say definitely give it another try and remember to take it slow and easy, it's not a problem if you have to relight your pipe every now and then. If you still have issues with the gurgle stop as soon as you hear/feel it and insert an extra absorbant pipe cleaner as far into your pipe as you can (remember, never disassemble a pipe while it's hot) and place it in a way that the bowl is elevated relative to the end of the stem so any liquid can flow into the pipe cleaner. In my experience this eliminates the gurgle every time and you can resume your tasty smoke.

 

[brdavidson]

I love the Savinelli Caramella look and took a few days to decide between that and the Tundra series. I ended up going with the Tundra but the general consensus I got when I asked was that you cannot go wrong with a Sav, so I took the leap. If you end up getting the Caramella let me know how it smokes, it really was a toss up for me and if worthwhile I may have to pickup one of those too!

 

[ash13brook]

Mike -

There are currently four MM pipes in my rotation. A great Dane Spool, a Straight Legend, one of the Ozark hardwoods in straight, and I just added my first ever bent, also in the Legend. I have about four spares and a bag of stems (although I'm very close to buying a couple of Forever stems).

 

[ash13brook]

Oh, man. those Tundras ARE nice, too. Damn. decisions, decisions...

 

[gnatjulio]

Go with the Sav Author before I do please. I love the Savinelli Hercules line. I just put that Author on my wishlist.

 

[andrew]

I think gurgle comes down to the tobacco being too moist mainly. I love briars, getting the tobacco the right humidity was the thing that took the longest for me in good technique. There's several blends I didn't like until I got down having the tobacco the right moisture.

 

[mso489]

Hmmm. I agree with Spartan that a couple of modest-priced but good briar pipes would give you an

answer, if briars are right for you. I think they are for most pipe smokers, at least as part of the

stable. I don't get much gurgle, but now and then I do. I live in a state with occasional high humidity,

and that may contribute, along with the humidity of the tobacco itself and other factors. I used to think

there was an significant saliva factor, like playing the cornet, but now I somewhat doubt that. A slurpy

or bubbly bowl now and then ain't all that bad. Sometimes, the smoke itself is fine and the pipes

stays lit, and there's little to complain about. Get some briars, and I think you'll do fine.