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Briar pipes are made from the roots of Erica arborea, a plant native to the Mediterranean. The wood is durable, fireproof, and porous, making it ideal for pipes. Briar pipes can be hand-carved or mass-produced and come in various shapes and sizes. The wood is treated for up to two years before carving.
A briar pipe is a pipe carved from briar, a special wood that is perfectly suited for pipe making. Many people think of a briar pipe as the quintessential wood pipe, and a number of companies produce briar pipes for consumers, using both traditional hand carving techniques and mechanized mass production methods. Most tobacconists and pipe shops sell briar pipes, often in a selection of shapes and sizes.
The briar comes from the roots of Erica arborea, also called Erica Bianca. This plant is native to the Mediterranean where it evolved to thrive in arid and harsh environments. It typically takes the form of a tall shrub or small tree, with the wood being harvested from its thick, gnarled roots. Burl typically comes from briar, deformed knobs that form in the roots. Burlwood has a very distinctive and complex grain that many people find appealing.
When the burl used in a pipe comes from the outer edges of a burl, it is said to be plateaux wood. When the wood comes from the burl core, it is known as ebauchon. Both woods have a very twisted and close grain that can shine in the hands of a skilled pipemaker, and their color ranges from pale golden brown to a dark, rich, earthy tone.
There are several reasons why burl has become such a popular wood for pipes. Firstly, it is extremely durable and robust, able to withstand years of heavy use. Burl is also naturally fireproof, and is a very porous wood. A good briar pipe comes from a briar that has been treated and allowed to sit for up to two years, ensuring that all the water and resin in the wood is gone.
Once the wood has hardened significantly, the pipemaker can carve out a bowl and stem to make a briar pipe. Some pipes are solid, while others are jointed, depending on the style and skill of the pipemaker. The outside of a briar pipe can be cut and polished to highlight the grain of the wood, or left coarse, to recall the natural environment it comes from. Many pipe companies also season their pipes before sale, ensuring they burn properly and efficiently in the hands of consumers.
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