Where are briar pipes made?
Areas that are known for briar production are Corsica, Italy, Spain, France and Algeria, among others. The burl grows underground, between the root and the trunk of the tree.
Who made the first briar pipe?
Emil Loewe
Briar pipes were manufactured there from the 1860s, and a Frenchman, Emil Loewe, is said to have been the first to make briar pipes in London.
Where does the best pipe briar come from?
The best briar available today comes from Greece. Algeria was a source for many years, but over harvesting and the ravages of World War II ended this. Because of its severe habitat, briar grows very slowly. A marketable burl must be 40 years old before it can be harvested.
How do I identify a briar pipe?
The easiest way to tell if you have a well-aged briar is by the weight. A pipe made with well-aged briar will be very light in weight. If you hold two similar pipes together by the stem, the lighter, more balanced pipe will inevitably be made with older briar.
Are old pipes worth any money?
A clean, well-made pipe in good condition nearly always has value, though markets can vary wildly by area. We’ve seen them sell for only $15, while others can go for upwards of $100. Still others, like a rare and pristine Dunhill can sell for thousands.
Where are Mr Brog pipes made?
Poland
Brog pipes are always handmade and always made in Poland.
How can you tell a good pipe?
You’ll want to look to see if the pipe is filtered or not, treated versus untreated, the materials used to make the pipe, the shape of the pipe and stem, bowl depth, and which qualities to avoid.
How do you identify a tobacco pipe?
Ball / Tomato: Compared to the apple, a ball pipe is slightly larger and usually bent with a saddle stem. Diplomat: An alternative prince-style pipe with a slightly bent, oval stem. Egg: Most commonly made in a bent configuration, the egg is essentially an elongated apple pipe.
How long will a briar pipe last?
The author claims that briar gradually soaks up the tars from the tobacco and eventually becomes full and no longer smokes well. I have several briar’s that are over 100 years old and they still seem to smoke just fine. My oldest clays are over 200 years old and smoke pretty good too.