Funny you should bring this subject up now.
A while back I dug up a huge Briar Root (smilax).
I was under the impression that Briar Root pipes were made from....well Briar Roots.
After seening your post I looked into it a bit... Briar Root pipes are not made from Briar Roots at all but some type of super hard wood that comes from over seas.....
Now what am I going to do with that Briar Root?

It is almost the size of a Basketball.
David