What exactly is shell briar?

[NeverBend]

So it's more about the finish and not about the actual briar?
I suppose with the unfinished look, they could use the less attractive wood to make them and use the top notch, more aesthetically pleasing wood for the smooth. I guess that could explain the price difference.

That way both would still be the same actual real world quality.

Hi Paul,

Sandblasting is done to bowls that have flaws after the shape has been finished. It could be argued that this makes them seconds but the blast process is like a torture test for the briar, if the flaw was more than superficial then it would blow through (make a hole in the bowl). I consider sandblasts to be first quality for this reason. The same isn't true of carved or rusticated pipes.

Sandblasting reveals the grain of the pipe in relief. The increased surface area of a sandblasted pipes is believed, by some, to better radiate heat away from the tobacco chamber (and this give a cooler smoke).

Shells are generally less costly than the smooth Root or Bruyere finishes of Dunhill but the briar should be similar in the same era. Make sure that it has an original Dunhill stem (the white dot doesn't guarantee this) because they are hand made and excellent quality. The wide price differences are generally related to the collectability of the pipe and condition.

Trying a Dunhill is something of a right of passage, great mystique.

Regards,

Pete