Woods Other Than Briar?

[masterpython]

Is there a much of a difference between a briar pipe and one made of some other wood once it is broken in?

 

[flmason]

Briar will hold up better over time than other types of wood. Other types of wood are softer than briar. Perhaps other members can add additional information.

 

[masterpython]

Like they will eventually burn out or you need to be more careful to avoid breaking them?

 

[lonestar]

Depends a lot on what wood you are asking about. If you are asking about a pipe made out of pine, the answer is that it will always taste horrible and probably burn out quickly.

If you're asking about the other "accepted" woods (Morta, Olive, Strawberry Tree etc) they will be very similar to briar once broken in. There is less risk of burnout with briar.

 

[tbradsim1]

Ryan, you can put Mullberry in that group, EJames made me 2, he has 1, Roth has 1 and they breakin almost in a couple smokes, light for their size and smoke extremely dry.

 

[ejames]

I've been smoking that Mulberry Brad mentioned since August,2009, Not a sign of burnout,no cracks-nuthin! It continues to give me great smokes! Even if it does have a Grabow stem !! Back then I couldn't make stems.

 

[lonestar]

Yep, you are right Bradley. I think the list of woods that make pretty good pipes is a lot longer than we will admit. I still think briar wins, but there are quite a few that will give as tough and long lasting pipe with a little care.

For me personally, I am obsessed with Strawberry wood lately. It is so much lighter than briar, I can smoke the larger pipes I like and clench them like its a much smaller briar. It is definitely a little softer wood than briar though, so I am a bit more careful with them. Mimmo processes it along with his briar and it smokes just like good briar, only lighter.

 

[lonestar]

I've been smoking that Mulberry Brad mentioned since August,2009, Not a sign of burnout,no cracks-nuthin! It continues to give me great smokes!

I remember you posting some pics in the past. How has the color changed after all this time ?

 

[mike73]

Ejames the grain on that pipe is gorgeous. I am curious as well if it has colored up any with age and use?

 

[petes03]

I agree, briar is the best, but there are many more acceptable woods for pipes.

 

[jfox520]

I love the looks of the Mulberry. I wish some would start selling them. The grain and the color is amazing.

 

[mso489]

I have read favorable comments on Forums about pear wood pipes (Mr. Brog in particular) and rosewood pipes.

fishnbanjo has a handsome example of a Brebbia rosewood pipe with advanced design. Personally, I can

recommend Mountain Laurel pipes, but they are rare. They happen to be a specialty of pipe carver Jerry

Perry, of Colfax, N.C., but I would not know who else does these. I have two of his Mountain Laurel pipes,

one of them going back to 2002, and it is every bit as durable and smokes as well as briar. Otherwise, I have

stayed with briar, and a few much-appreciated MM cobs.

 

[cigrmaster]

I have heard good things about Morta, Strawberry wood, Pear wood, Mulberry wood and Olive wood but have no experience with anything but briar. I guess I am a chicken when it comes to trying new things as I really want a Morta but have not pulled the trigger as of yet.

 

[ejames]

Ejames the grain on that pipe is gorgeous. I am curious as well if it has colored up any with age and use?

Yes,it has darkened quite a bit,more brown/copper colored than yellow now.The photo shows it with another Mulberry I was working.

Personally, I can

recommend Mountain Laurel pipes, but they are rare.

I agree. I have several of the Mt. Laurel pipes made during WW2. I have made one, a copy of the D&P MT. Laurel pipes made in Sparta,NC. Would love to get more MT. Laurel to work with.

 

[pruss]

Harris, has Rad Davis done any Morta work? I'm thinking if there was one guy you were gonna break the mold with (with regards to wood choice) he'd be your go-to.
-- Pat

 

[cigrmaster]

pat, I have never seen a Rad Morta and do not think he has ever used it. I have seen every pipe in his gallery and no Morta's. I was just eyeballing this Davorin Morta as I like the looks of it, but I am still not sure if the flavor that the Morta imparts is something I will really like.

http://pipes2smoke.com/Davorin/Davorin_2.htm

 

[teufelhund]

That's a really nice looking pipe cigrmaster. I can't say much as far as flavor, but it's a beauty.

 

[winton]

I have used mulberry in other woodturnings. The coloring of the original and recent pictures of the pipe are exactly my experience with the wood. It is a very hard wood, similar to hedge aka osage orange.
Winton

 

[pruss]

Harris, that's a beauty. Some of the Becker and Askwith mortas are wonderful too. I have heard that after a few bowls and a little cake the morta taste/smell dissipates pretty significantly.
-- Pat

 

[ejames]

I have used mulberry in other woodturnings. The coloring of the original and recent pictures of the pipe are exactly my experience with the wood. It is a very hard wood, similar to hedge aka osage orange.
Winton

John,remember that Mulberry you sent to me? I sent a chunk of it to Tim Pollock and he made this pipe for me from it. It's a two piece, has a threaded bowl. Smokes great!