Ruminations on the “why” only briar from the rim of the Mediterranean has been the only choice for fine pipes for over 175 years.
The best is beautiful, like my Marxman straight grain. Men love pretty things. Often it causes our downfall, but we can’t help it.
Something about genuine briar acts as a heat insulator. This one has extreme insulation properties. It barely gets warm when smoking.
And, when the smoke penetrates the wood and returns the briar imparts a pleasant taste to the smoke. My straight grain is a dynamite smoker, typical of pre 54 Marxman pipes of all sizes and grades.
Poverty, or rather avoiding the poor house, is why all pipes are not Marxman straight grains.
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