Hans Former Nielsen Smooth Bent Brandy Estate Briar Pipe, Danish Estates

Description

A pioneer and undisputed master of Danish artisan pipe-making, Hans ‘Former’ Nielsen began his career, aged 15, repairing pipes for Poul Rasmussen at Suhr’s Pibemageri. Later, Former was referred to the W.O. Larsen workshop by Rasmussen, where – after an examination by Sven Knudsen, who had designed many early Larsen models – he was recruited as a fully-fledged pipe-maker. Within his 10 years at Larsen, Former rose to the rank of workshop supervisor, having his own apprentices of the likes of Teddy Knudsen and Tonni Nielsen. In the years since, Former’s primary output has been high-grade handmade pipes – with 2019 marking his 60th anniversary in the craft.

The quarter-bent, almost egg-like, saddle brandy is one of Former’s defining shapes. So much so, in fact, that it ended up being one of the designs he used for his short-lived factory pipe project, Bentley. This is not a Bentley, however, but a Former original, made by Nielsen’s own hand. While uncomplicated in comparison to other pipes by Former and his contemporaries, it is no less masterfully executed. It is also distinct enough to remain unfamiliar to traditional shape charts, especially through the introduction of a slight under-travel by the shank as it transitions into the bowl. The grain around the bowl is uniformly straight, the rim presents a ring of bird’s-eye patterns, and the flared, saddle stem is a final feather in the pipe’s cap.

The condition is excellent. There’s some inner rim darkening, but nothing I would consider major.

 

Details:

Length: 6″ / 152.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.88 / 22.35mm

Bowl Depth: 1.69″ / 42.92mm

Weight: 1.5oz / 44g