difference between shell briar and ring grain?

[parodsson]

Hi folks,

would anyone clear this issue for me? I am looking at these two Dunhill babes I wanna buy, one Shell Briar, the other Ring Grain. I can obviously tell the visual difference, but would anyone care to give me the tech specs on what exactly each type of pipe is? Is it the type of briar, or just the finish??

 

[cortezattic]

I don't have a clue, but an article by R.D. Fields at Pipedia.org, A Tail Of Two Briars might help.

(I also don't understand why the word "tail" is used in the title instead of "tale". Makes me think the author is an imbecile.)

 

[parodsson]

thanks!

 

[hauntedmyst]

Same briar, same finish, same stain...ring grains just happen to look nicer so Dunhill marks them up marginally more than the shell finish but you get a beautifully grained pipe.
This is a good link for Dunhill Finish info

 

[parodsson]

thanks dude