Pipe Grain

[sparrowhawk]

Hi, I'm Back. Had a really bad winter. But onto my question: is a pipe with a tight grain lighter or heavier than a Briar with a more open grain?

 

[alaskanpiper]

I don't know you, and I don't know the answer to your question. But I'm sorry you had a bad winter, and I'm glad you are back! I'm sure some of the geeks here can answer your question for you.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Hi, I'm Back.

?

You've been fairly active over the past few weeks and months.
Never really noticed a difference in the weight of different grains. The tighter grains may indeed have a higher density, but I've only considered grain for aesthetic more than anything. Tight grain produces amazing sandblasts.

 

[sparrowhawk]

Hi Alaskan and Embers. Nice to be back. I asked because I'm having a custom pipe being made -- I'll tell you by who later -- but the Briar is really superb and the pipe has a really tight grain, and since I clench a lot, I was concerned if the pipe would make for a comfortable clench.

 

[cortezattic]

I've got a feeling that the difference either way, maybe less than a milligram per cc, would not be noticeable in clenching. Leverage is much more important, with, as you know, bent pipes being more comfortable.

 

[ssjones]

There might be a slight connection, but I doubt there is any real measurable weight differences. For example, high grade vs lower grade Castello's in the same shape, weigh pretty similar.
Welcome back!

 

[mikethompson]

I'm Back

oh no not this again!
Welcome back and sorry to hear about your run of bad luck! I'm not sure there is any tangible difference in weight when it comes to the grain. Who is doing this pipe for you?

 

[Chasing Embers]

Were I to wager a guess, probably Stephen Downey.

 

[Briar Baron]

I have several tight grain pipes and some are lighter than open grain and some heavier, so I think each piece of briar is individual. I am sure you will be OK since a custom maker will keep in mind that many prefer a lighter pipe.

 

[sparrowhawk]

It's not Stephen, Embers; you'd be surprised who it is. I'll tell you on delivery.

 

[sasquatch]

I've never seen a really dense/heavy block with really wide grain. I have seen dense blocks with really tight grain. That said, a bunch of the wood in my shop seems to have especially tight grain and also be uncommonly light, so it certainly can happen.
Overall, I'd say the design of the pipe will have more to do with the resulting clenchability. A bent billiard at 60 grams is no problem, a straight billiard at 45 grams feels heavy.

 

[Chasing Embers]

It's not Stephen, Embers; you'd be surprised who it is. I'll tell you on delivery.

 

[mso489]

I have some of each, tight grain and not, which can be seen in both smooth and blast. I do not detect a predictable weight difference. Size and thickness of the walls of the bowl seem most predictive. I get most use out of lighter pipes, and some brands seem to have light briar. Johs makes some bigger heavier pipes, but the medium size tend to be quite light. Stanwells are usually relatively light. I haven't commissioned a pipe, but if I did, I'd make known my preferences on the cut of the stem, a sensitive point in clenching.

 

[crashthegrey]

The difference based on grain is negligible. The age and dryness of the briar and other random factors play a bigger role. As stated above, the balance will affect clenching more than anything.