The handmade briar pipe in my hands (pictured below) is the most satisfying pipe I have ever smoked. When you pick it up for the first time, you will be deeply attracted by its unique feel and perfect wood grain. It is made of high-quality Blair wood, whose natural grain and color are unparalleled.
After one gentle puff, I think you’ll understand. Why briar pipes have been loved by generations of pipe smokers, of which I am one, and the familiar taste is one of my earliest memories of these briar pipes. I guess I’m not the only one who has fond memories of this classic pipe
But if you don’t know much about Blair pipes yet, don’t worry. I will explain in detail in the following article what is a briar pipe, Why is the briar pipe so popular?und How to choose a high-quality briar pipe?… So let’s start this pleasant Take the journey!
what is a briar pipe?
Briarwood pipes are currently a highly respected material and synonymous with high-end pipes. What exactly is its charm? Let me take you to find out today.
Firstly, we need to clarify what defines a briar pipe. It is a pipe made from the root burl of Mediterranean heath trees, specifically briar wood. This part of the tree has excellent heat resistance and moisture absorption abilities, making it ideal for pipe-making.
Secondly, identifying them is straightforward. We simply check for distinctive wood grain patterns, knowing that Quality briar pipe wood is typically light reddish brown in color but is often stained with a dark brown finish during production to bring out the distinctive wood grain patterns, which is one of its most recognizable traits.
The reasons behind briar pipes’ immense popularity also come down to the innate high density and resistance to the splitting of the burl wood. This allows the bowl and stem to be “carved in one piece” thus drastically improving durability. This unique structure allows it to perfectly shape the pipe and stem into one piece, preventing the flue from breaking. This also makes the briar pipe more sturdy and durable during use.
Where does briar wood come from?
So many people have questions, where do these briar woods come from? After constant consultation with the famous European pipe master Cornelius Mänz, I learned that
(Erica arborea), a bushy shrub native to the Mediterranean coastal areas of Italy, Spain, Greece, and southern France. The gnarled roots of these shrubs form burls below the ground that have an extremely dense grain perfect for pipe making.
During my recent trip to Italy, I was fascinated to see acres of heath shrubs growing on the hills near the coast. My local friend explained that this is where artisans harvest the burl roots to obtain that precious briar wood for carving pipe bowls and stems. Once unearthed, the burls are cleaned, dried, and cut into blocks.
How to choose a high-quality briar pipe?
So how should we choose a high-quality briar pipe?
First of all, the briar wood used in high-quality pipes is reddish brown in color, has a dense texture, and has no obvious flaws. This determines the feel and smoking experience of the pipe. Secondly, check its production process
When gauging the excellence of a briar pipe’s craftsmanship, the finishing touches applied on its surface also serve as a pivotal appraisal criterion. One must be prudent in avoiding inferior varnishes.
Shiny lacquers and sealing enamels, despite their eye-catching brilliance, are actually prone to flaking and compromising the pipe’s intended smokability. Contrariwise, a truly high-quality pipe will give priority to the use of Wax coating to protect the pipe.
Next, we need to examine the stem. High-end briar pipes have precisely fitted shank-to-stem connections to prevent air leaks. The draft hole should align smoothly from the bowl bottom to the mouthpiece tip for unobstructed airflow.
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