2015 Scott Klein Handcrafted Smooth Bent Brandy Estate Briar Pipe, Unsmoked [SOLD]

Description

American artisan Scott Klein spent the first part of his working life as a tradesman in various fields. As a student he had been keenly interested in design and manufacture, and after graduating he spent time working in construction, as a woodworker, and as a painter. In 2009, Klein was introduced by an extended family member to Russian-born master pipe-maker Alex Florov, who took the 20 year-old Klein on as an apprentice in his own craft. Though hesitant to take on any kind of student at first, Florov was ultimately swayed by Klein’s talents, imploring him to become a professional pipe-maker.

When looking at a pipe such as this one, it’s very clear why Alex Florov agreed to mentor Scott Klein as a pipe maker, and indeed why Florov allowed Klein to study with him – and why Florov even acted as Klein’s representative during his pipe show debuts – for seven years. The shaping is organic and voluptuous, comparable to Danish masters such as Kurt Balleby or Japanese masters such as Tsuge’s Ikebana workshop, and the grain is equally impressive, with consistent, vertical flame lapping up the pipe’s bulbous bowl, and bird’s-eyes covering its underside. All of this is elevated by a golden contrast stain, and subtly offset by a simple, black ebonite stem.

On an administrative note, this is what was previously called a Scott Klein “Handcrafted” pipe, but which would now be part of his “Signature” collection. I mention this so the pipe is not confused with the Scott’s Pipes “Handcrafted” model, his later, affordable series produced in tandem with high-grades like this one.

This Klein is unsmoked, with an original bowl coating. It came to us via our trade-in program.

 

Details:

Length: 5″ / 127.0mm

Bowl Width: 0.82 / 20.82mm

Bowl Depth: 1.47″ / 37.33mm

Weight: 1.9oz / 56g