Hello Forum Members....
Need your input, again.
Winter is a comin' I need something to do when the cold, dreary weather forces me indoors. So, I did it. I have designed a few pipes that I want to try making. Now, I need some briar blocks. With suggestions from this forum, I've found a number of suppliers in the USA who sell briar, and other pipe making supplies. However, this pipe-making virgin, needs to know a few things before I contact any briar retailers.
Questions:
Should I send the briar retailer a profile view/full-size pattern of the pipe(s)? I'm thinking that when the briar blocks are selected the seller can use my patterns as a guide, and check to see if there is enough material to cut the individual pipes.
I'm asking this question because most suppliers sell briar blocks that are pre-cut to standards sizes, and these blocks will only allow certain shaped pipes to be made. I find designing a pipe around the restrictions imposed by these standard-cut briar blocks to be a PITA. This leaves the pipe designer with few options. What do I do if I want to design/make a Magnum, or over-size pipe? What size blocks do I ask for?
Also, do any USA briar sellers offer specially selected, "premium", extra high quality, briar for sale? In case I want to chance making a smooth pipe with a great grain pattern? I'll need some good wood.
Thanks for any help. I thought it best to ask Forum Members first. I never bought any briar, so I don't know jack when it comes to briar specs. Note: I plan to rusticate my hand-made pipes....I like the way they look and feel...so, maybe super-premium briar is unnecessary. But I also don't want to spend time and $$$$$ working with a chunk of crappy briar that resembles a piece of Swiss cheese, either. I know the hidden risks that lurk inside these burls....I just need a few blocks of decent briar.
Frank
Need your input, again.
Winter is a comin' I need something to do when the cold, dreary weather forces me indoors. So, I did it. I have designed a few pipes that I want to try making. Now, I need some briar blocks. With suggestions from this forum, I've found a number of suppliers in the USA who sell briar, and other pipe making supplies. However, this pipe-making virgin, needs to know a few things before I contact any briar retailers.
Questions:
Should I send the briar retailer a profile view/full-size pattern of the pipe(s)? I'm thinking that when the briar blocks are selected the seller can use my patterns as a guide, and check to see if there is enough material to cut the individual pipes.
I'm asking this question because most suppliers sell briar blocks that are pre-cut to standards sizes, and these blocks will only allow certain shaped pipes to be made. I find designing a pipe around the restrictions imposed by these standard-cut briar blocks to be a PITA. This leaves the pipe designer with few options. What do I do if I want to design/make a Magnum, or over-size pipe? What size blocks do I ask for?
Also, do any USA briar sellers offer specially selected, "premium", extra high quality, briar for sale? In case I want to chance making a smooth pipe with a great grain pattern? I'll need some good wood.
Thanks for any help. I thought it best to ask Forum Members first. I never bought any briar, so I don't know jack when it comes to briar specs. Note: I plan to rusticate my hand-made pipes....I like the way they look and feel...so, maybe super-premium briar is unnecessary. But I also don't want to spend time and $$$$$ working with a chunk of crappy briar that resembles a piece of Swiss cheese, either. I know the hidden risks that lurk inside these burls....I just need a few blocks of decent briar.
Frank