Amazon DIY Briar Block- Worth It?

[Mattww89]

Title edited for caps and hopefully, clarity.



I wasn't sure where the post is. So I am new to smoking pipes and I was wanting to find something to feel my smoke time with. I never widow before and wondering if I pre-made block would be a step in the right direction. The block is made out of briarwood and it's $30 on Amazon. Would this be worth my time or is there a better place I can look elsewhere.

 

[winton]

What you posted is smokable now. Granted, it is fairly odd looking.,

Briar is VERY hard. I suggest that you get a 1x30" belt sander. This will also require a collection of sanding belts of various grits. You can get these items at Harbor Freight. Be careful. You are likely to apply too much pressure. That results in the block leaving your hands at a high speed. I believe that I have a block somewhere in my garage. That was when I decided it was better to purchase new or estate pipes.

 

[Mattww89]

Actually I was hoping to go the hand sanding route with it. Tack my time on it.

 

[TheWhale13]

You can use files just fine. The quality may not be the best for the mouthpiece or the wood part, but it could be a fun project.

 

[mawnansmiff]

You ask whether it would be worth your time yet you don't tell us if you have any experience in using hand/power tools or working with wood at all.

If you wish simply to learn to smoke a pipe, your best bet would be to ......buy a pipe!

Regards,

Jay.

 

[mso489]

It's the part where you remove the briar you don't want and leave the briar that you do that is challenging. Some guys on Forums have done incredible pipes from blocks, some with just hand tools. More power to 'em.

 

[helistone]

If it was me doing this, I would first draw a 1:1 drawing of the pipe from all sides.
Now draw the
outlines on all 6 sides of the block.
Then work allways the opposite sides together, until you reach the rough form.
Don't work into the blue without a plan.
What mso489 said is very true!
Also winton is right with the "flying" part.

 

[Mattww89]

I took wood shop in highschool. So I have a little knowledge on wood working and I helped remodel my childhood home with my stepdad in my teens.

 

[warren]

Not knowing how you value your time it's a tough question to answer. Inexpensive pipes are readily available.

 

[Mattww89]

If it was me doing this, I would first draw a 1:1 drawing of the pipe from all sides.
Now draw the
outlines on all 6 sides of the block.
Then work allways the opposite sides together, until you reach the rough form.
Don't work into the blue without a plan.
What mso489 said is very true!
Also winton is right with the "flying" part.

Thanks I'll definitely try that. Not until they sure what shape I want yet but I want to keep it simple.

 

[helistone]

I think it's a nice project.
But allways planning ahead is key to things like these...
And the reward is smoking your selfmade unique pipe.

 

[jpmcwjr]

You ask whether it would be worth your time yet you don't tell us if you have any experience in using hand/power tools or working with wood at all.

If you wish simply to learn to smoke a pipe, your best bet would be to ......buy a pipe!

Regards,

Jay.

Couldn't agree more. Too many variables trying to learn pipe smoking on a home made job. Though I am not certain you aren't already a pipe smoker.

Are you?

As to a project, a good one. Why not?

 

[CallMeSangy]

I've not done this myself, but by word of mouth i've heard that those do-it-yourself blocks can have bad briar in them. something like a bad cure on the wood can lead to a bad smoke. not to daunt you or anything, and i hope you enjoy the experience making your pipe. just a potential heads up if you finish and something may seem off.

 

[helistone]

I also have to ask now, how new are you to pipe smoking?
You said something about beeing new to pipe smoking in your opening comment.
Please learn to walk first, before you start to run.
If this should become your first pipe ever, don't.
As a DIY project this is awesome, but it could kill your pipe smoking experience in the beginning, if it is executed poorly!?

 

[Mattww89]

Couldn't agree more. Too many variables trying to learn pipe smoking on a home made job. Though I am not certain you aren't already a pipe smoker.

Are you?

As to a project, a good one. Why not?

I am still new to pipe smoking but I'm a very visual learner and learning a lot from YouTube tutorial videos. The rest will come with practice. I'm just trying new things and wood carving seems interesting.

 

[jpmcwjr]

So, then, what have you been smoking and in what?

 

[Mattww89]

So, then, what have you been smoking and in what?

For the time being I'm using a corn cob I got at a tobacco store near me but I am supposed to get this one in the mail today. As for tobacco smoking something called Irish due. At least until I get my tobacco for the mail called Peterson early morning.

 

[craiginthecorn]

If you want a pipe kit, I would direct you to vermontfreehand.com. Steve Norse makes those kits and has generously donated many of them for the pipe carving and finishing seminars at the Chicago Pipe Show over the years. He uses quality Italian and Greek briar and you can choose between the lower cost ebauchon blocks and the plateau blocks for a bit more. Plateau blocks are more likely to produce a pipe with good grain, but both would smoke equally well. The stems are good quality vulcanite and they are drilled accurately. My pipe turned out fairly nicely, smokes very well, and the stem has not oxidized. Plus, Steve is a great guy.

As a side note, this year, Jeff Gracik donated some unfinished Alan Brothers pipes for the seminar. Jeff has led the class in the last several years and chose to focus this year’s class more on finishing and less on shaping, so the fraised stummels were a good place to start.

Thanks Steve and Jeff for your support!

 

[Mattww89]

If you want a pipe kit, I would direct you to vermontfreehand.com. Steve Norse makes those kits and has generously donated many of them for the pipe carving and finishing seminars at the Chicago Pipe Show over the years. He uses quality Italian and Greek briar and you can choose between the lower cost ebauchon blocks and the plateau blocks for a bit more. Plateau blocks are more likely to produce a pipe with good grain, but both would smoke equally well. The stems are good quality vulcanite and they are drilled accurately. My pipe turned out fairly nicely, smokes very well, and the stem has not oxidized. Plus, Steve is a great guy.

As a side note, this year, Jeff Gracik donated some unfinished Alan Brothers pipes for the seminar. Jeff has led the class in the last several years and chose to focus this year’s class more on finishing and less on shaping, so the fraised stummels were a good place to start.

Thanks Steve and Jeff for your suppo

Yeah I'm starting to learn real quick the Amazon is not the best place for this hobby.

 

[kcghost]

Wishing you good luck on your project but to me its seems like you have chosen a very difficult path.