the best briar?

[xrundog]

Originally Posted by magnus5

The briar around the med is definitely supurb. No, what makes the best best briar is age. The oldest briar is in that area, and really it is rarer and rarer. But that stuff is by far the best in the world. And don't forget the best briar comes not from the trees but their roots.

That's why so many pipes today have the emphasis on the carving or finish. Many of the older ones are plainly shaped, are minimally finished and have amazing grain.