Reply by Pop

I’ve owned them made of walnut & various other woods as well as meerschaum. It has to do with the materials ability to absorb charred tobacco residue to form what is called “cake” in order to “break-in” the pipe. This requires that what ever material is used it has to be somewhat porous.

-- One who works with his hands is a laborer, his hands & head A craftsman, his hands, head & heart a artist