What is the difference between Briar, maple and ash for a pipe material?
By far briar is the best wood for making a pipe. The grain can be beautiful and complex. It is hard yet can be very light in weight. It is durable, costly and will last several lifetimes if properly cared for. Maple is a close second. It is dense, polishes very well and carvings in maple remain crisp for many years. It is a closed cell wood and will not leak tobacco juices as an oak or ash pipe will. Ash is inexpensive and smokeable. Its grain is coarse and the wood is relatively light in weight for its density. Its drawbacks are the blotching from the tobacco juices. Heat and capillary action will draw moisture and tars out of the bowl and stain the outside of the pipe. If you want an “antiqued” pipe ash will do just fine.
