Im in the market for some briar to do some pipe making. Looking for stuff bigger than 1.5x2x3. Willing to trade wood, make a knife, or pay money. Thanks!
Briar
- Thread starter Bear Custom Builds
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As in Erica arborea? If so tag me and I can put you in contact with a friend in Crete.
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- #3
Thats the stuff, and I would appreciate the outreach to your friend. Thanks!
Thanks for clarifying because my mind was picturing the briar patches around these parts which don’t get anywhere near that size, and wouldn’t be any good for making a pipe. Here’s more info from Wikipedia in case anyone else’s is wondering:
Erica arborea
The wood, known as briar root, is extremely hard, dense and heat-resistant, and is primarily used for making smoking pipes, as it does not affect the aroma of tobacco. The football-sized tubers are harvested at the age of 30 to 60 years. They are cooked for several hours, then dried for several months before they are further processed.
On a stateside note, hawthorn root has been noted as a reasonable substitute. Not sure that it is any more widely available, just noting other option that are known to work without poisoning the smoker...
@ChrisK had some a while back. I purchased from him and they were very nice blocks.
reference post on location
reference post on location
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There's also Vermont free hand. he has really nice stuff. and along with all the pipe-making essentials. I like that place. good people to deal with.
Best bet is to go ahead and purchase pre-cut pieces, Buying whole burls, if you can find them nowadays - is risky, they can very often not be usable. However, if you are going to rusticate - don't need the best grades. Have not seen @ChrisK on for quite some time. Vermont free hand gets a nod as well as http://webshop.amsmoke.com/Briar/ I ran into a couple of whole briar burls at local woodcraft 20 years ago - Only ones I have ever seen.
P.S. forgot about the guys in Greece.
Makis at http://acutabovebriar4.blogspot.com/ -
and
Both are suppliers of primo and big and rare stuff, but also do less.
P.S. forgot about the guys in Greece.
Makis at http://acutabovebriar4.blogspot.com/ -
and
Welcome to Romeo Briar
Romeo Briar, Supplier of the finest briar from Corsica, France, Italy, Greece and Spain to pipe makers all over the world.
www.romeobriar.com
Both are suppliers of primo and big and rare stuff, but also do less.
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Good to know, I’ll definitely check them out
Last time I went into Gilmer they had a barrel of them, but I don’t see it on their website. You might reach out to them.
Gilmerwood.com
Gilmerwood.com