Ben Wade Martinique Smooth Freehand Estate Briar Pipe, Unsmoked [SOLD]

Description

While Ben Wade was a historic British pipe brand, for a time during the 1970s, production of Ben Wade pipes was contracted out to one of Danish pipe-making’s superstars: Preben Holm. Though he would tragically pass away at the age of 42, Holm was one of the pioneering figures in the ‘Danish design’ movement in 20th century pipe-making, a movement that still dominates the high-grade pipe scene. By hand-shaping his pipes on a belt sander, Holm was able to make the most of the patterns of grain hidden within briar, creating spectacular works of pipe art that looked just as good as they smoked. Owing to Holm’s untimely passing, his pipes are even more highly sought after than they were during his lifetime.

It is remarkably uncommon to come across an unsmoked Preben Holm. Something about them just begs to be filled with a bowl of one’s favorite blend. It is also very uncommon to come across a Holm with its original box – though that applies to all pipes, especially ones as old as this one. So, it really is quite something to have this unsmoked, boxed, Holm-made Ben Wade land on my desk. The design is classic Danish free-hand. It has a rough-and-ready natural look – especially with its plateau rim – though one that is softened slightly by the fluid shaping of the bowl. The grain is also excellent, showing off a mixture of straight grain and bird’s-eye patterns.

As stated, the pipe is completely unsmoked, with an original bowl coating. And as also stated, the pipe comes with its original box and sleeve.

 

Details:

Length: 6.5″ / 165.1mm

Bowl Width: 0.91 / 23.11mm

Bowl Depth: 1.79″ / 45.46mm

Weight: 2.8oz / 80g