Savinelli "natural" - how do I finish it? Or do I need to?

[Arizona]

I just bought my first "natural"/unfinished pipe - a Savinelli from Frenchy. I've never had a natural or unfinished briar like this. My question is: Do I have to finish it? If so what do I use?

All the pipes I've ever had were finished so looking for advice here. I know carnuba wax is the final process, but is there an oil or whatever that you treat the briar with prior to this or no?

Thanks!

[NCRadioMan]

Smoke it as is.

[Doc Holiday]

If you leave it as is, and smoke it, after time the oils from your hands and the heat will cause it to darken to a very nice color.

I have several naturals, no two have darkend the same, but they all look great with their own character.

[Cheeto]

Those naturals will darken with use because they are not "finished".

[Sovereign]

My natural has darked up beautifully just from smoking. You can finish it if you want, but I suggest leaving it as is

[uncballzer]

Originally Posted by Sovereign

My natural has darked up beautifully just from smoking. You can finish it if you want, but I suggest leaving it as is

[yellowgoat]

I'd love to see some photos of the coloring it has.

[uncballzer]

Originally Posted by yellowgoat

I'd love to see some photos of the coloring it has.

Here's a pic of mine. They mostly get a darker color to them from what you see on Frenchy's site. I kinda like them better than the finished ones, cause it's like a meer in that you see the change of the color, and you're making it your own.

http://www.clubstogie.com/vb/showthread.php?t=174015

[Sovereign]

Here's my Sav Nat. The pics don't really do it justice. It's much darker than it appears. I've don't think I've smoked more than 20 bowls through it.




And here's the original pic of it new from frenchy's website:

[yellowgoat]

Nice.
Thanks for the photos!
I'm gonna get one in a few weeks if still available.

[joshmickelson]

I just bought a #10 natural. I am excited to see how it colors.

[wharfrathoss]

if ya like 'em shiny, put a coat of carnuba on it-won't stop it from coloring

[Mad Hatter]

If you wanted you could wipe it down with olive oil to bring the grain out. I bought an estate that someone had sanded the rim on and the olive oil brought it back to the color of the rest of the pipe, no gloss of course.

[Senator]

Mine's turned out a nice deep rust colour....very nice.

[billhud]

Originally Posted by Mad Hatter

If you wanted you could wipe it down with olive oil to bring the grain out. I bought an estate that someone had sanded the rim on and the olive oil brought it back to the color of the rest of the pipe, no gloss of course.

Yup. If you want to darken it faster just use a few drops of olive oil (a little goes a long way) and rub it in with the palm of your hand.