Questions about Fills

[docrx]

What exactly is a fill in a briar pipe? Is it a defect in the briar? A defect in carving? Is it only a cosmetic defect or can it lead to cracking? What is a fill composed of? How is it done?

 

[puffy]

I've had pipes that had fills that were pretty hard to see when the pipes were new.Later on the fills didn't color as well as the rest of the pipe,and they seemed to show up more.I've heard that fills lessen the value of a pipe.That doesn't really concern me though as long as the pipe smokes good.Most of the pipes I own now though were made by carvers that I know don't use fills.

 

[nmbigfoot02]

My understanding is that a fill arises from a defect in the briar like a void or knot in wood. Fills seem to be a topic of some debate, but I believe it's mostly cosmetic. In reading past conversations on another forum, defects are usually filled with simple wood putty that may be dyed to better match the base color of the pipe. In one instance I've been told that Red Devil wood fill has been used with good results.