The briar root is obtained from Erica arborea bushes, typical of the Mediterranean flora. As the harvest and the preparation are procedures which we better leave to the experts, the guardians of secrets inaccessible to neophytes, I prefer supplying myself with ready and well dried plateaux and ébouchons.
Once, my land, Sicily, used to be a good briar supplier. Today, unfortunately, nobody harvests it any longer and it is then necessary to turn elsewhere, without complaining. I always try to work with briar root of excellent quality, depending on Mother Nature’s tantrums.
I believe there is no limit in the choice of materials. What really matters to me is that the finished product hasn’t got more than three colours and has, in any case, chromatically compatible tonalities.
I like to add inserts in the stems, extracted from ebonite, or cumberland bars of German production. For this purpose, I use diverse types of horn, camel bone, (elforyn) synthetic ivory, mother-of-pearl and woods such as zebra wood, boxwood, palm wood and bocote wood.
Sometimes, I create extensions to the stummel with some of the hardest materials also used for the inserts to the stem or with the more versatile and exotic bamboo.
The quality of the materials used in the process is as much important. I learned from my mistakes that everything must be chosen taking into account the quality of the materials and the purpose they have, from the drill bits to the abrasive sandpapers, the aim being to get a production as perfect and fast as possible.
