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Jun 23, 2019
1,937
13,238
I have been curious about morta since I first heard about it. I still kinda want one.

But my conclusion, from this forum and other articles, is that morta is an itch to scratch but it's not replacing any favorite briars. I haven't seen anyone whose favorite pipe was made from old bogwood.

So did I get it wrong? How do y'all like your mortas?

I don't know if this is a 'hot take' or not, but: I find briar to be the worst tasting of the lot. I think the happenstance of tradition has made it the de facto material pipes are made from, but corncobs, meerschaums, and mortas all taste 'better' or in the case of the two latter pipes more neutral than a briar.

I prefer pure virginias in a fresh cob and latakia blends in morta pipes.
 
Jun 23, 2019
1,937
13,238
Or you could just read this article found after a intensive 8 second search.


I love Truett (both his writing and him on those silly YouTube videos) but maybe OP was looking for a more honest source than 'man who works for tobacco/pipe selling website imploring you to buy more pipes'.
 

PipeIT

Lifer
Nov 14, 2020
5,238
30,882
Hawaii
I don't know if this is a 'hot take' or not, but: I find briar to be the worst tasting of the lot. I think the happenstance of tradition has made it the de facto material pipes are made from, but corncobs, meerschaums, and mortas all taste 'better' or in the case of the two latter pipes more neutral than a briar.

I prefer pure virginias in a fresh cob and latakia blends in morta pipes.

Clay is also more neutral...
 

PipeIT

Lifer
Nov 14, 2020
5,238
30,882
Hawaii
Wow, really? I'd like to hear more about. Haven't tried one yet but I've heard they smoke hot, comparitavely. Which seems to make sense. What made you decide to hoe that row?

@halfdan I certainly know you only smoke clays. ;)

@obc83 I’m not sure if he mentioned it, but knowing halfdan around here, let me see if I get it right.

I believe it’s because he loves Old England, the days of the Red Coats, and maybe even further back, to the days of Knights and Old, a day pretty much when Clays were the tradition.

Oh, and clays are inexpensive and neutral tasting, so you get a pure tobacco taste, so I’m sure this is also a big reason too.

Did I get it right @halfdan? 🤔
 
I've never tried one. But I do know @cosmicfolklore has had bad luck with em.

I don't like the idea or look of em.
Yeh, mine burned out first smoke. Slow and cool didn't seem to matter. I think @georged can better explain why many mortas are just a risky gamble.
My replacement morta just sets on a rack looking pretty.
 

OzPiper

Lifer
Nov 30, 2020
6,875
37,191
72
Sydney, Australia
My first few mortas were Morettis - because I liked their looks and the price was right.
And Marco was a gentleman and very easy to work with.

After that I did a lot of legwork researching other morta workers and picked the ones whose work and work ethic I liked

There were a couple of brands I was attracted to, but very pleased I didn’t buy based on reviews and complaints from dissatisfied owners

As mentioned the only pipe I had issues with (very early burn spots) was a Moretti light coloured morta.
Entirely my fault as I specifically requested a light coloured morta.
I have bought 2 other light coloured mortas as gifts. No complaints from their owners
 

huckleberry

Starting to Get Obsessed
Mar 12, 2017
231
625
Kentucky
This is just an observation of some of the pictures posted as I've never gotten a close-up look at a Morta.

In some of the Pics the grain of the wood looks a little different. It appears, to me, that sometimes the rings of grain are somewhat eroded away. Could it be some form of Rustication?

Maybe it is just the picture, or the way it was made...Does anyone else see the variation in the grain?
 

Chasing Embers

Captain of the Black Frigate
Nov 12, 2014
45,307
119,563
This is just an observation of some of the pictures posted as I've never gotten a close-up look at a Morta.

In some of the Pics the grain of the wood looks a little different. It appears, to me, that sometimes the rings of grain are somewhat eroded away. Could it be some form of Rustication?

Maybe it is just the picture, or the way it was made...Does anyone else see the variation in the grain?
Are you referring to sandblasted morta?

pipa-morta-regina-scarlatta-cutty-vendita-artigianale-1.jpg
 

grimpuffer

Can't Leave
Aug 29, 2016
350
2,421
Love my Morta pipes. They smoke just as well as briar to me and there is no discernable flavor or break in taste like some mention.

Maybe I was just lucky, but I reach for them just as often as my other pipes. They also do not seem to ghost as easily as briar.

This is my favorite that I own:

A7289EA8-6CF5-4815-8B8D-4A4B75780679.jpeg
 

The Clay King

(Formerly HalfDan)
Oct 2, 2018
6,362
60,604
42
Chesterfield, UK
www.youtube.com
@halfdan I certainly know you only smoke clays. ;)

@obc83 I’m not sure if he mentioned it, but knowing halfdan around here, let me see if I get it right.

I believe it’s because he loves Old England, the days of the Red Coats, and maybe even further back, to the days of Knights and Old, a day pretty much when Clays were the tradition.

Oh, and clays are inexpensive and neutral tasting, so you get a pure tobacco taste, so I’m sure this is also a big reason too.

Did I get it right @halfdan? 🤔
@PipeIT You certainly did!
 

huckleberry

Starting to Get Obsessed
Mar 12, 2017
231
625
Kentucky