Differences in briar pipes

[jennifer]

This may be a stupid question but what is the difference from one briar pipe to another? If they are made from briar wood why is there so much difference in the price. I understand that the outside look of a pipe can make a difference in the pricing but I have seen some really ugly pipes selling for hundreds of dollars that are briar and in my mind if you are putting your tobacco into a briar bowl then it is a briar bowl. I'm sure there is more to it than that but just using common reasoning briar wood seems like it is briar wood regardless so what makes one smoke better than another?
thanks-Kirk

 

[admin]

We could do an entire article on that. Entire chapters of books have been devoted to the topic.
It's almost like asking "why does a Mercedes CL65 AMG cost $210,000 and a Honda Civic only cost $15,000? They both have four wheels, seats and a steering wheel."
There are many variables when it comes to a briar pipe.
1. Origin of the briar.

2. Age of the briar when harvested.

3. How long the briar was cured?

4. How was the briar cured?

5. Grain pattern.

6. Size.

7. How much hand-work vs. machine work?

8. "Imperfections" like sandpits.

9. Type of finish.

10. Stem style and material.

11. Other materials - silver, bamboo, etc.

12. Name brand

13. Marketing

14. Collectible value or art value.

15. Mass-produced in a factory, or a one-of-a-kind?
All of that took only the time to type as it did to think of it.
With some more thought and perhaps some pipe maker's input, I'm sure more could be added to the list.

 

[cortezattic]

Hi Kirk, and welcome to the forums. I'll hazard just one opinion on what is far from being a stupid question. It's a topic that comes up frequently in conversation, and has been addressed in a hit-or-miss fashion most of the time.
My 2¢ on it is that most of the price reflects either brand name identification or aesthetics (mainly grain quality, but shape and finishing work count too.) Now, I'm sure some experts, especially pipemakers, can discuss the relative quality and scarcity of briars from various growing regions, but I'm sure the differences in their price don't relate too closely to their relative performances. I think Kevin's list above touches on most of the important issues.
As for grain, it's my opinion that as long as your briar does not have a lot of bald (grainless) wood, it'll be a good smoker. I go for a grainy pipe without much concern for what kind of grain, or which way it runs. I don't think the tobacco cares either.

 

[python]

Good question Kirk and great responses by Kevin and Cortez!
There isn't much more that I can say that they haven't already. There are a lot of reasons why pipes vary so much in price (a lot of them have already been listed).
Another thing to keep in mind is; once you start getting into artisan pipes, you are also paying for a piece of art as well as a smokable pipe. It takes a lot of time, energy, effort, etc. to make a pipe by hand. From the design all the way through to smoking qualities. You are paying for a quality product that was made by hand.

 

[hauntedmyst]

Some briar prices, notably those in the upper price range are from briar where the soil is very rich in unobtanium in them which causes them to smoke much much cooler than a briar pipe without unobtanium. Well worth the extra money.

 

[bytor]

Another piece of the puzzle that has been touched on already, but not really identified is craftsmanship.
Specifically I am referring to things like:
- symmetry of the pipe (particularly noticeable on diamond shank pipes)

- alignment of the draft holes through the stem & shank

- concentricity of the stem & shank

(try rotating the stem of one of your pipes 180...likely, more than just the logo will be off)
Haunted could be right though, unobtanium in the soil!

 

[pstlpkr]

Jennifer great topic!
I think everyone will have a reason for spending large for that one pipe.

I personally like straight grained pipes.

I once spent about 300 samolians on a something that stayed in the shoppe for about 3 years, everyone liked it but it was a bit unusual. So nobody bought it. I loved it. I talked Skip into reducing the price. About a month later the carver died and that signature became just a trade mark for Tenderbox. Two months later another proprietor saw it when I cam strolling into his B&M. He asked me if it was the real thing, I said yes and he offered me a Grand Cash for it, on the spot. It is straight grained and by a highly respected artisan. I don't know the origin of the briar it has a copper ring in the shank and draws lots of stares when I smoke it in public, and it smokes beautifully. What can I say .... worth every penny. Needless to say I didn't sell...

1Q in my Ascorti.

 

[jennifer]

Thank all of you for your responses. I appreciate it. I have smoked pipes on and off for over 40 years. I guess I go thru cycles but this time my wife has encouraged me to buy a better quality pipe so I have been doing a lot of studying and the question that I ask was always on my mind when looking at different brands.
By the way I am Kirk and not Jennifer. Not sure what happened there but will try and change it if possible. If not I will just reregister with a different email address

 

[pstlpkr]

Stuff happens Kirk.
You might look into Cavicchi pipe. Claudio is not only a nice guy, but a true artist.
Claudio Cavicchi

 

[hobie1dog]

I like this one of his.

 

[pstlpkr]

I have four Cavicchis. All are great smokers. My favorite is the bent Volcano.

 

[admin]

By the way I am Kirk and not Jennifer. Not sure what happened there but will try and change it if possible. If not I will just reregister with a different email address

Kirk, I changed your "display name" to Kirk.
Your login name is still jennifer.
You don't need to re-register.

 

[jennifer]

Thank you for that Kevin. That makes it easier and thank all of you for the replies.
I guess its up to me now to decide. I know my wife was hoping I would find something by Fathers Day but like everything else I buy I like to do my research first. To me that is half the fun of buying something special is to research and learn all you can so that when you do finally get it you feel that you made a wise choice and hopefully won't have regrets for your purchase. That doesn't always work but at least it gives you a better chance I think.

 

[ohin3]

Yeah lots of things contribute to the price of a pipe. I tend to buy from pipe makers that are known for their engineering as, to me, good engineering leads to a good, trouble free smoke. I definately buy based on asthetics as well, but if its not a good smoker I don't care how much it costs, it's not for me. I will say that on the whole, pipes that cost more smoke better. Just seems that the more you spend the higher the odds are of getting a good smoker. That being said, I have $20 and $30 pipes that are incredible smokers. I have had the best luck with Stanwells as far as affordable good smokers go. And I do like their design asthetic. Savinelli and Parker have never steered me wrong either, though I have had some problematic Savinellis. I have one Dunhill and I have to admit, it is one of the finest smokers I have ever smoked.

 

[admin]

Stanwell and Savinelli are too of my favorite large production mid-range brands. Stanwell has some that get into the upper range too.

 

[pstlpkr]

I have to agree with Ohin on the reasons for buying a pipe.

First, you have to like the aesthetics, if it doesn't match your idea of "a good lookin' pipe" then you won't be satisfied.

Secondly, I think it should feel good in your hand, a good fit.

If it isn't a comfortable fit, then you aren't as likely to smoke it as often as it may deserve.

Lastly and probably most important... you gotta like it, you know Love at first sight.

 

[smooth]

The citizens of countries or areas where the briar bush/trees grow wild consider it a weed that they could never hope to wipe out. Those incoming burls will just keep coming, as long as hauntedmyst's unobtainium continues to grow on the leaves.

 

[zanthal]

This is a good thread to ask this in, because I've been wondering about it a while.
It appears that most briar is harvested in Europe. I've heard of Greek, Algerian, Spanish, and "Mediterranean" briar, or these are the ones I remember.
It appears to me that the most sought after is Algerian, and I'm curious to know if I'm right about that, or if so, why?

 

[rigmedic1]

Welcome aboard Kirk! I used to think that there couldn't be that much difference until I picked up a high end Peterson Plato. The pipe is awesome! But that doesn't mean I am gonna toss all my other pipes! If you see something you like, research the brand, compare prices, and then take the chance. You never really know until you smoke it, but if you like looking at it and holding onto it, you will like smoking it. I like Petersons, Savinellis, and Edwards, but I have one of about 10 other brands too. And there are some great carvers on this forum, as well.

 

[zanthal]

And there are some great carvers on this forum, as well.

+1
Definitely