Natural (virgin, unfinished) pipe bowls are an adventure in pipe smoking and a pleasant surprise over
time. Let me give a disclaimer that natural bowls probably come in various levels of naturalness; some
are not finished beyond fine sanding, but others may have light stain or oil. But many look just like
raw briar -- shaped, smoothed and sanded. These often pop up in the low-end pipe basket at pipe
shops, although a few are marketed mid-level. If you are new to pipes, you probably wonder why
they didn't finish the pipe. They seldom have any coating on the inside of the bowl either, and that's
a good thing. But here's the adventure. Break them in easy, and enjoy them in rotation, and the
caterpillar will unfold into a beautiful butterfly over time. This is the briar bowl version of the Meerschaum
experience. Whereas the Meerschaum starts out a gorgeous white or ivory color and gains its golden
brown color over time, the unfinished briar slowly deepens into a similar golden brown and more and
more shows off its grain. Even fills on the briar can add elements of interest and individuality, though
some/many natural pipes have few or none. I have two natural pipes, bought bright almost white,
the color of a Cub Scout's Pinewood derby race car, bright light pine tone. These have deepened into
vibrant walnut color, looking like stain but emanating from the wood itself, visibly so. The best part is,
you are the active agent of this good result, as much as the pipe turner at the factory.
time. Let me give a disclaimer that natural bowls probably come in various levels of naturalness; some
are not finished beyond fine sanding, but others may have light stain or oil. But many look just like
raw briar -- shaped, smoothed and sanded. These often pop up in the low-end pipe basket at pipe
shops, although a few are marketed mid-level. If you are new to pipes, you probably wonder why
they didn't finish the pipe. They seldom have any coating on the inside of the bowl either, and that's
a good thing. But here's the adventure. Break them in easy, and enjoy them in rotation, and the
caterpillar will unfold into a beautiful butterfly over time. This is the briar bowl version of the Meerschaum
experience. Whereas the Meerschaum starts out a gorgeous white or ivory color and gains its golden
brown color over time, the unfinished briar slowly deepens into a similar golden brown and more and
more shows off its grain. Even fills on the briar can add elements of interest and individuality, though
some/many natural pipes have few or none. I have two natural pipes, bought bright almost white,
the color of a Cub Scout's Pinewood derby race car, bright light pine tone. These have deepened into
vibrant walnut color, looking like stain but emanating from the wood itself, visibly so. The best part is,
you are the active agent of this good result, as much as the pipe turner at the factory.
