Ideal sturdiness

[mick92]

Fellows,

what do each of you consider to be the superior utilitarian pipe? That is, which one do you think will outlast all the others in your collection, and which materials would you consider to make a pipe last a lifetime?

Granted, I ask these questions knowing that proper care and maintenance will give one's selection many years of enjoyment. I too can appreciate the longevity and ubiquity of a good corncob pipe, yet am looking to the expand my horizons.

Thanks again,

Mick

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Briar and Meerschaum can both last a lifetime with some reasonable care.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I treat all of my pipes like workhorses and beaters. They'll all outlive me.

 

[craig61a]

I would have to say my Morgan Bones pipes...

 

[mick92]

Briar and Meerschaum can both last a lifetime with some reasonable care.

Have you ever noticed a sharp variance in briar quality when you sampled different pipes?

I had a cheap briar shank crack open before yet I've read that this material can be finicky regardless.

Likewise, do you reckon there are different grades of meerschaum used in pipemaking?

 

[Chasing Embers]

I treat all of my pipes like workhorses and beaters. They'll all outlive me.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I had a cheap briar shank crack open before yet I've read that this material can be finicky regardless.

Being a natural material, unseen flaws can exist deep in the wood. Luck of the draw, it could happen with the most expensive of pipes.

 

[warren]

w(sic)hat do each of you consider to be the superior utilitarian pipe?

Cobs are great utilitarian pipes. Briars and Meerschaum will outlast you. It all depends on how you care for for them.

Have you ever noticed a sharp variance in briar quality when you sampled different pipes?

No.

Likewise, do you reckon there are different grades of meerschaum used in pipemaking?

Obviously but, such is the concern of the procurer for the manufacturers.

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

Fellows,

what do each of you consider to be the superior utilitarian pipe? That is, which one do you think will outlast all the others in your collection, and which materials would you consider to make a pipe last a lifetime?

Granted, I ask these questions knowing that proper care and maintenance will give one's selection many years of enjoyment. I too can appreciate the longevity and ubiquity of a good corncob pipe, yet am looking to the expand my horizons.

Thanks again,

Mick

Funny thing, the ease of replacing the stem in your Cob means it costs several orders of magnitude less to replace a broken stem, which is likely going to be the first point of failure on any pipe.
And next down the line, replacing the Shank on a Cob is also realatively easy, versus shank repairs on a Briar being one of the most complicated repairs. Not that most people would bother replacing the shank in a Cob, but technically you can and for argument's sake that improves the long term viability of Cobs.

I'd say the bowl of any given pipe should last just about forever as long as you keep it dry, otherwise they're all biodegradable except for Brylon or the short run of Graphite bowls that were made a few decades ago.

 

[OzPiper]

I have never owned a cob, so I'll refrain from commenting on those.

Most of my pipes are estates, including briars and meerschaums that date from 1880s. Granted those that have survived have probably been looked after by their owners. Most have dings, scratches and scars that speak of a life of active use.

If you look after your pipes, they may well out-live you.

 

[mortonbriar]

Depending on individual bite/clench you might chew through a stem, but a bowl can fairly easily last as long as you intend to smoke it, and be passed on.

 

[lawdawg]

Obviously a big thick briar with a thick vulcanite stem is going to pretty durable. But what are you planning to do? Use it as a hammer? IMO a big thick build is not a necessary criteria for a pipe to last a long time unless you plan to be rough with it, knock it around in a backpack or toolbox, and so on.

Just for example, there are tons of vintage Dunhills floating around that are easily 70 years old and still going strong. Dunhill is more known for slimmer elegant shapes, rather than big robust pipes.

Unless you’re the type of guy who is constantly breaking his cell phone, there is probably not much need to consider the robustness of your briar pipes.

 

[OzPiper]

Just for example, there are tons of vintage Dunhills floating around that are easily 70 years old and still going strong. Dunhill is more known for slimmer elegant shapes, rather than big robust pipes.

There are a few members of the Forums who are aficionados of ancient meerschaums (100+ yo) and clay pipes.
A lot of those venerable pipes have walls that are only 3-4mm thick, that have not only survived, but more importantly, are still in use today.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Dunhill is more known for slimmer elegant shapes, rather than big robust pipes.

Until you dig deeper.?

 

[jewman22]

A Sav/Rossi 320KS is pretty much as solid a pipe as you can get in briar. They are short, stout, and beefy, ain't no burning through those things.
But if you are looking to throw it in your tool box and bang it around, just buy a cob.

 

[Chasing Embers]

But if you are looking to throw it in your tool box and bang it around, just buy a cob.

Or an unfinished 320.

 

[Chasing Embers]

which materials would you consider to make a pipe last a lifetime?

The skill and technique of the smoker.

 

[Grangerous]

Still have my Grabow’s and one is meer-lined. Not what I’d consider fragile. Barring unfortunate accidents, briar is tough.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

The only pipe I care about is the Peterson Derry Rustic. The rest are in a cardboard box in the broom closet. I find I enjoy things more if I am not overly concerned and maintain for use.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

What kind of sturdiness are we talking about? Surviving being carried in a silk sportscoat pocket all day? Or, the back pocket of your dungarees while rolling down the side of a mountain?