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So I understand that sometimes you can fill voids in the briar with a bit of epoxy. Here's what I've got:


It's a long fissure, and as far as I can tell, it's deep enough to go all the way into the chamber. I know because when I applied the epoxy, I plugged the chamber and tried to take a draw on the pipe, and the epoxy sank into the fissure. I kept applying it and repeating the procedure until I was pretty sure the fissure was filled. No epoxy came into the chamber (that I could see), but now that the epoxy is dry, I can't take any kind of draw with the chamber plugged, so the void is filled.

The epoxy is regular JB Weld, tinted with lampblack. The stuff is rated to withstand up to about 500 F.

The pipe ended up looking like this:





So here's my question: is this pipe even smokable, or is it going to crumble in somebody's hands the moment it gets lit up?

Just to be clear, I'm not going to try to sell this to anybody. I really only finished this pipe because (a) I wanted to practice rustication, and (b) if it ended up looking okay, I figured I could use it as window dressing. But on the chance that somebody wants to smoke it, what are the chances that this repair would even hold up?

I snapped the shank on a pipe right at the bowl and glued it on with jb weld. I have been smoking that pipe for about six months with no problems. It might not get as hot but there are no signs of any break down, Norm.

Smoke it and find out, it should be fine especially if you bowl coat it first to aid in cake formation.

I think it would hold up fine, but I would never sell a pipe with a flaw that goes into the chamber. Keep it for yourself.

I have kept a few pipes with similar problems and smoked them myself. I haven't had one burn out yet. Just carbon coat the bowl and it will probably last forever.

Great cure for a case of the voids.

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In lieu of hickory chips, I use briar. That piece would have smoked a salmon filet to perfection.
Briar is wonderful when grilling. It imparts a sweet smokey flavor, perfect for fish, fowl, pork or beef.........even chitterlings.
Ask Rad about his recipe for chitterlings.

Thanks, folks. It's a relief to hear that this pipe might be smokable after all. I'll keep it for myself for now, or maybe give it away at some point--we'll see.

I've got plenty of briar scraps for the grill already--along with a lot of pecan wood.

I want to try cooking something over briar scraps. The issue is I'm pretty much perfect, so I never have scrap!

I have about 15 lbs in scrap and another 10 lbs in finished shitty pipes. Maybe you are doing something wrong?

sprinkle some in with your tobacco for that new pipe taste.

mcgregorpipes wrote:sprinkle some in with your tobacco for that new pipe taste.

Or better yet, just fill your pipe with briar dust. Pack gently, and you'll get a nice long smoke.