What Is The Lifespan Of A Briar Pipe?

[bigjoe]

I suppose it depends on original quality, luck, and abuse. I recently started restoring a few estates that smoke well after a cleaning and they're mostly in the 50-90 year old range. A few of the lot are write-offs but most are still good.

 

[escioe]

Start squirreling away tins and a Red Barchetta at some country place so your grandkids can enjoy them.

It would have to be a niece or nephew, if you're following the tune.

 

[wyfbane]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uukZgfHZIoc

 

[danielplainview]

It's been said that older pipes smoke so well because the oils and resins of the briar have dissipated over the years. Some of my best smokers are very old. I have a KBB from the 1880's that smokes wonderfully. I use it sparingly due it's seniority, but it is still a sound piece of briar. If a pipe is cared for with proper maintenance, it should outlast it's owner.

 

[xrundog]

I've wondered if the boiling alcohol of a retort might have negative effects on a pipe. If I understand you correctly, you think it might make a pipe smoke hot? Or least hotter than it might if a retort were not used?

 

[brudnic1]

I smoke pipes I bought fifty years ago. Can't tell the difference between them and newly purchased pipes.

 

[iamn8]

<p>Ah tis a question most vague... What is the life of a briar? What is the life of man? Tis is it any less than the life of the briar? Whose to say what is the life of briar, na what is the life of any wood than the noble block of..... wait.... was the question "what" or "how long"?

 

[65chevy]

I have a large amount of estate pipes, some high end some those drug store finds.

I think the Briar used years ago was older grown then what they cut and use today.

I also have new pipes from GIGI, Savinelli, Larenzitte, Peterson's ,Paronetti. Viking.
but my old Comoy's Blue Riband, Sunrise 495, GBD Valois 808 and all my old Kaywoodie's

are some of the first pipes I go for.

I think the old Briar was better. I'm not even sure that it all true with older pipes being of older growth.

but there has to be some true in that they made more pipes over 50 years ago then today. and the Briar bushes need 50+ years to grow to even make a pipe. maybe something to it?