New in The Lounge: WHY BRIAR AND NOT SOMETHING ELSE

NicoleSTGLaneLtd · April 2017

When a smoking pipe comes to mind, the image is almost certainly is that of a briar pipe. But what is briar, where does it come from and why has it become the most popular material for making a pipe?

https://thispipelife.com/tpl-article/28/

motie2 · April 2017

My Lady: Regarding briar, you ask, ".... why has it become the most popular material for making a pipe?"

Here are my resources:

Have you ever wondered why tobacco pipes are made out of briar wood?

http://www.tobaccopipes.com/blog/what-is-briar-wood-for-tobacco-pipes/

Why Briar and Not Something Else?

https://www.pipesandcigars.com/faq/why-briar-and-not-something-else/1818125/

Materials and Construction

https://pipedia.org/wiki/Materials_and_Construction

motie2 · April 2017

Ooops. The TPL article 28 that you cite is the same as my #2. Sorry. I've done that kind of thing before.

Aristocob · April 2017

Considering how many corn cob pipes have been produced in the last almost 150 years by Missouri Meerschaum alone, I'm not sure that briar is in fact the most popular material for pipes. #FakeNews?

ghostsofpompeii · April 2017

Because of the reputation of briar as the wood of choice I was very leery when I purchased my first pear wood Calabash pipe off EBAY. But it turned out to be such a nice smoking pipe I purchased another exactly like it - but in a different finish. As time went on I found a few other pear wood pipe styles that I liked the look of and picked them up as well. I think I have six pear wood pipes in my collection and all perform great. I'm not sure how they'll stand the test of time - and last as long as a good briar - but at present I have no complaints.