Question about Radice Clear Finish

[Dave_In_Philly]

So recently I have been drawn to Radice's Clear Finish pipes.

This one is just beautiful (IMHO):

But I am concerned about how well they will age. Smoking pipes has two estates for sale, and I have to admit, I don't love them:

They're not bad, but they don't have the same pop that the unsmoked pipe does. I was wondering if anyone knows whether they changed the stain/process or is that just the natural patina that the pipe develops after having been smoked? Usually, I think, age and patina improve the look of a pipe, but these pipes just look dull and worn, to me.

 

[Sasquatch]

Natural patina for sure. Briar browns up some as it ages, and certainly with smoking.

But for heaven's sake, smoke that pipe! Radices are great.

 

[Anonymous]

Mess with estates long enough and you'll find that old briar, when you sand down to it, is a dark reddish brown color.

Just what Sas said -- age and use. Like people :

When to the age of forty they come,
Men run to middle; women, to bum.

1) Enjoy it while it lasts

2) Enjoy it the way it is.

:face:

 

[Dave_In_Philly]

It just doesn't seem worth the premium for the Clear finish over the Classic finish, if they end up the same color.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm pretty sure that the way they're using the term "clear" is for the absence of surface blemished/discolorations/sand pits.

The finish itself (staining) looks like a lot of Cavicchis & others.

:face:

 

[Dave_In_Philly]

According to smokingpipes.com the difference is:

"Clear": Smooth Natural
"Radice" (what I was referring to as classic): smooth dark red and natural two tone (old), smooth brownish (new)

 

[Anonymous]

That may well be what they say, but I doubt that any un-stained briar's that shade(s) of orange(s).

:face:

 

[dshpipes]

Here's mine. Their color just deepens with use. I think they take on a lovely color. A lot has to do with the grain on any particular piece as well, I think.

 

[Anonymous]

That's a pretty pipe, UHM !

:face:

 

[Kyle Weiss]

*shrug*

While the color isn't as bright and "popping" after a few dozen smokes, I dig how natural briar takes on a "smoked-in" look. The grain will always stay the same, even if the color does not.

 

[Dave_In_Philly]

*shrug*

While the color isn't as bright and "popping" after a few dozen smokes, I dig how natural briar takes on a "smoked-in" look. The grain will always stay the same, even if the color does not.

I'm with you, I have a natural Comoy that I really like. Maybe I just misunderstood what the "Clear" finish was, I thought it was more of a neutral or clear stain with a very high gloss finish.

 

[Sasquatch]

"Clear" for Radice is more of a briar grade than a finish, in a sense. Clears are flawless and basically always have awesome grain. They are stained for contrast for sure. Briar ain't that color.

 

[MisterE]

They're like baseball gloves. Remember at the beginning of the season? Nice and new with beautiful leather hue. By the end of the season its much darker.

I have a 20+ year old Tinder Box natural briar pipe I bought new. Now it is so dark it almost looks as if it were stained that way. Still smokes okay but the stem is so loose it falls out. Evey once in a while I'll get it out for old time's sake.

What that has to do with Radice, I can't say. Pardon the hijack. Carry on.

 

[Kyle Weiss]

Well, indirectly, the thread is about briar coloration. :lol:

 

[monbla256]

All of my Edward's and Charatan Special's started out a similar bright yellow/red wood color and now after almost 40 years of smoking they all are a dark red/brown mahogany almost black color. If ya want it to stay as it was when new, don't smoke it !! Myself, I prefer the look some age and smoking gives a pipe :twisted: