Andrey Kharitonov Smooth Volcano Handmade Briar Pipe, New

Description

Andrey Kharitonov is, to my eye, one of the most innovative artisans in pipe-making today. Born in 1961 in the former Soviet Union, Kharitonov’s work has been inspired by a number of his compatriots in the artisan scene, such as Victor Yashtylov, Misha Revyagin, and Alexey Kharmalov. Like the latter, Kharitonov frequently experiments with novel shapes, textures, and stains, creating pipes that are instantly recognizable as his making.

As I was re-reading Andrey’s Pipedia article in preparation for receiving his pipes, there was one word that stuck out to me that I thought was especially astute, especially regarding this particular pipe: texture. Sometimes it can seem as though pipe-making has exhausted the possibilities of what the surface of a pipe should look and feel like. We already have pipes that are smooth across a flat or curved plane, including those that play beautifully with straight, flame, cross, and bird’s-eye grain patterns; we also have sandblasted pipes, including those that masterfully draw out growth rings or, in the case of carvers like J.T. Cooke, push sandblasting to its very limits; and we also have rusticated pipes in a variety of styles, from wire brushed, to vermiculated, to the Italian pebble-dash. This pipe, on the other hand, wears a smooth finish, but in an entirely unconventional way. It might be said to instead be “fluted”, as Andrey has given the pipe’s underlying volcano shape symmetrical grooves and ridges that follow from its very base to its rim. Does that count as “smooth”? I’ll let you be the judge. What I’ll say is that it is a genuine treat to behold – and indeed to hold. On a last note, this pipe additionally includes a fossilized mammoth ferrule and hand cut, swirling lilac ebonite stem.

 

Details:

Length: 5″ / 127.0mm

Bowl Width: 0.76 / 19.30mm

Bowl Depth: 1.54″ / 39.11mm

Weight: 1.9oz / 54g