Anyone Smoke Olivewood or Morta Pipes?

drac2485

Does anyone smoke olivewood or morta pipes?  How do they differ from smoking briar, are they just nice to look at and smoke the same or worse?

PipeProfessor

@drac2485 One of my first pipes was/is an olive wood. It smokes a bit hotter for sure but not by much. It also seems a bit harder to build cake in as well. However, it does stand out among the rest of my briars and I am glad I have it in my collection!

PappyJoe

A member of the New Orleans Pipe Club sells Morta pipes and they are pretty pipes and are reported to be great smokers like a meerschaum. I've always been concerned with the weight of a Morta as the one's I've picked up seem heavier than briars or meers.

rubineby

How about pipes made from pear wood ( Mr Brog brand ). Any comments ?

PappyJoe

@rubineby - started a discussion about Pear wood pipes earlier.

thesubcon

Morta is DEFINITELY on my to get list. I have a dozen pipes with a huge variety, so I know it will fit nicely in my collection!

drac2485

@rubineby  I think some one just started a discussion on that.  But so far I think the consensus is they smoke a little hotter than normal but the Mr. Brog's are good little pipes.

Here's the link http://thispipelife.com/us/tpl/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/162/pear-wood-pipes-anyone#latest 

PipeProfessor

I smoked my olive wood for the first time in months last night. Man it was a great smoke. It was cool and smooth. A great alturnative to briar.

ghostsofpompeii

I've been led to understand that the first few smokes from a Morta pipe have a distinct petroleum tarlike flavor.   

xDutchx

I don't own a Morta yet, just haven't come across one that lights my fuse. Here are a couple of my Olivewood pipes. One is a Moretti Smooth Billiard Stack, and the other is an Il Duca Sandblasted Tomato. The Olivewood makes for a unique sandblast.

drac2485

@xdutchx Those are both gorgeous pipes.  I have two olivewood pipes I can't wait to smoke but as I have gotten more into smoking and slowing down quite a bit the size of them scare me.  Both are Moretti Magnum pipes.  The first is a poker with just over a 2 inch deep bowl and the other is a 3.5 inch deep bowl that has me scared, it also weighs enough to kill someone.  If I choose to never smoke them they are both gorgeous will are happily displayed as part of my collection.

xDutchx

@drac2485, those are both gorgeous Moretti magnums, and would probably smoke Lat blends very well, with such large capacity bowls. I know that some are hesitant to buy pipes with large capacity bowls, but sometimes it never occurs to them, that it is not necessary to fill a bowl to the rim, in order for it to give a satisfactory smoke. In most cases, halfway full smokes just as well if not better.

I have been a fan of Marco's pipes for years. For the money, it is hard to beat the value of a Moretti. In Dr. Fred Hanna's book "The Perfect Smoke," he dedicates an entire chapter to discussing Marco's pipes. I believe the chapter is titled "More with Moretti."

drac2485

@xdutchx I know I always forget that you don't have to load a full bowl to smoke it.  I used to smoke so fast I preferred the biggest bowls I could find.  I love Moretti pipes and have a few others and always am looking to add to my collection.

Wolf41035

I would love to buy an Olive wood pipe, I have a Pear Wood and several Briar's, I also have Clay and Soap Stone Pipes.

glohman

I have a morta pipe, but I have yet to smoke it.

motie2

CONTEMPORARY MORTA POKER PIPE with STAINLESS STEEL CHURCHWARDEN STEM and ACRYLIC BIT
Chamber = 28.15 mm width x 54.56 mm depth
Length  = 231.33 mm
Color = Black and Gray 
Finish = Smooth
Stem = Black Acrylic with White Dot
Weight = 56.80 g

motie2

MORTA (Bog wood)

http://www.pipephil.eu/logos/en/nonbriar/morta.html

OLIVE

http://www.pipephil.eu/logos/en/nonbriar/woods.html

Woodsman

xDutchx, HS Studios has been doing a lot of Morta's on Ebay . I bought one of their briars for a darn good price for a freehand that smokes well.

tim12string

My brother made me an olive wood pipe. It is nice. I do have to re-light it a lot.

motie2

Morta pipes are a fascinating niche in the world of tobacco pipes. Instead of being made from briar wood (the standard), they’re carved from morta—which is partially fossilized oak that has been preserved underground in peat bogs for thousands of years.

Here are the key points about them:

🌱 What Morta Is

• Morta is oak that has been buried in bogs for thousands of years (often 1,000–5,000+).
• The bog’s tannins, minerals, and anaerobic (oxygen-poor) environment preserve the wood, gradually turning it extremely dense and dark in color.
• It’s not fully petrified like stone, but it’s far denser and more mineralized than fresh wood.

🔥 Smoking Characteristics

• Morta is highly resistant to heat and moisture, so it tends to smoke cool and dry.
• Many smokers say it requires little to no break-in period, unlike briar, since it has no resins or sap.
• It can impart a slightly mineral, earthy flavor in the first few smokes, but then becomes very neutral.
• Works especially well with Latakia-heavy English blends and Balkans, because it doesn’t interfere with the tobaccos’ nuances.

🎨 Appearance & Feel

• Morta usually comes in shades of charcoal gray, black, or deep brown, with subtle striations from the oak grain.
• Because it’s so dense, the carving is often crisp and angular, and makers sometimes leave the surface sandblasted to highlight its unique texture.
• Each piece is literally prehistoric—so every morta pipe carries a sense of history.

⚒️ Craftsmanship & Availability

• Morta is notoriously hard on tools (harder than briar), so it’s usually used by high-end artisan carvers.
• Not as common as briar or meerschaum pipes—makers like Tom Eltang, Radice, and some Eastern European artisans have made notable morta pipes.
• More expensive than many briars, since the raw material is rare and difficult to work.

📜 In Short

A morta pipe is like smoking from a piece of living history—ancient oak preserved for millennia, reborn as a modern pipe. They combine durability, uniqueness, and a very neutral smoking character, making them popular among enthusiasts who already have a briar collection and want something distinctive.

KA9FFJ

I have tried both olive wood and pear wood pipes. They smoke OK, but I was always careful to smoke them cool. Not sure if they can take the heat versus briar.?.?

motie2

Olivewood is a highly regarded and beautiful material for crafting smoking pipes, though it sits in a different category than the most traditional materials like briar. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of what you should know about olivewood pipes.

Overview: The Mediterranean Classic

Olivewood comes from the olive tree (Olea europaea), primarily grown in the Mediterranean region (e.g., Italy, Greece, Spain, Israel). Its use in pipe making is often tied to these areas, with Italy being particularly famous for its olivewood pipes. It's prized for its incredible grain patterns, cultural significance, and unique properties.

Key Characteristics & Advantages

1. Stunning Aesthetics: This is olivewood's biggest draw.

   · Grain Patterns: Olivewood features wild, swirling, and intricate grain patterns that are often more dramatic and varied than briar. It can exhibit a beautiful "peacock" or "feather" effect.

   · Color: The wood has a warm, golden honey to rich tan and brown base color. Darker streaks and veins running through the wood add to its visual depth.

2. Natural Properties:

   · Heat Resistance: While not quite as supremely heat-resistant as briar, olivewood is still a very dense, hard wood that handles heat well from pipe smoking. It's certainly more than adequate for the purpose.

   · Lightweight: Olivewood pipes are generally lighter in weight than comparable briar pipes, making them comfortable for clenching during long smoking sessions.

3. Scent and Flavor:

   · Pleasant Break-in: One of the most noted features is the sweet, fruity, and slightly floral aroma the wood gives off when first heated. This makes the break-in period much more pleasant than with some other woods.

   · Neutral over time: This distinctive scent is temporary. After the pipe is properly broken in and a cake forms, the flavor influence from the wood itself becomes very neutral, allowing the true flavor of the tobacco to shine through.

4. Sustainability and Cultural Appeal:

   · Olivewood is often sourced from pruning or trees that have ended their fruit-bearing cycle, making it a relatively sustainable byproduct.

   · It carries a deep cultural and historical resonance, especially for people with ties to the Mediterranean.

Comparisons to Other Common Pipe Materials

· Vs. Briar: Briar (from the white heath tree) is the undisputed king of pipe making for a reason. It has unparalleled heat resistance, porosity, and durability. Olivewood is considered an excellent and beautiful alternative, but most high-end artisans and collectors still prefer briar for its proven performance over centuries.

· Vs. Cherrywood: Cherrywood is softer and less heat-resistant than olivewood. It can burn out more easily if smoked too hot. Olivewood is generally considered superior in durability.

· Vs. Morta (Bog Oak): Morta is fossilized oak, incredibly hard and completely neutral in flavor from day one. It is much rarer and often more expensive than olivewood. They offer different aesthetic appeals.

Potential Considerations & Drawbacks

1. Density and Porosity: Olivewood is very dense, which is good for heat, but it can be less porous than briar. This might mean it doesn't "breathe" quite as well, potentially leading to a slightly wetter smoke if the pipe isn't designed well or the smoking technique is too aggressive. This is a minor point for well-made pipes but worth noting.

2. Curing and Cracking: Like any natural wood, improperly cured olivewood can be prone to cracking. It's crucial to purchase from a reputable carver or manufacturer who knows how to properly dry and season the wood before shaping it into a pipe.

3. Availability of High-Qrade Pieces: While common, finding large, flaw-free blocks of olivewood suitable for premium pipes can be challenging, which can limit the size and styles available compared to briar.

Care and Maintenance

Caring for an olivewood pipe is very similar to caring for a briar pipe:

· Break-in: Smoke it slowly for the first 5-10 bowls to build a protective carbon cake.

· Cleaning: Use pipe cleaners after each smoke. Regularly clean the stem and shank.

· Rest: Allow the pipe to rest for a day after smoking to dry out completely.

· Waxing: Like briar, olivewood benefits from occasional waxing with a natural wax (like carnauba or beeswax) to protect the finish and enhance the grain.

An olivewood pipe is a beautiful, functional, and rewarding piece to own and smoke. It represents a marriage of art, culture, and the pipe-smoking tradition.

KA9FFJ

@motie2
As usual, very thorough...
Tnx brother.

opipeman

Brothers;
I was curious about the discussion of Morta Pipes, so I bought one on eBay. Described as made from 3720 Years Old Bog Oak. I can't swear as to the truth of the description. I have only burned two bowls so far and offer my humble impression. I loaded it with Grange. My first bowl reminded me of "The Pipe", which I have several and like. The second bowl left me with the impression that it doesn't burn as hot as "The Pipe" and I don't have to draw as slowly with the Morta. It seems to me that it smokes very well in my limited use. I'd love to see what any of your thoughts are about the Morta that you have tried. I'll post my impression after additional bowls.