Nathan Armentout Smooth Prince Handmade Briar Pipe, New

Description

Originally a science teacher in California, Nathan Armentrout began making pipes in 2009 and has since emerged as one of North America’s most talented, high-grade artisan pipe-makers. Inspired by Denmark’s legendary carvers, Nathan’s designs continue the legacy of the Danish pipe-making movement into the present day and expand that legacy through his own unique interpretations of the masters of old.

Nathan was supposed to attend the Las Vegas pipe show this year, but had to pull out at the last minute. He asked if MBSD would take some of his pipes to display in his place. We were more than happy to oblige, and the other attendees were impressed—as they always are—with his work. Never missing an opportunity, I also arranged to restock our own supply of Armentrout pipes at the same time. I liked this one a lot, partly because despite Nathan’s Danish and Danish-American influences, I couldn’t think of a precedent for it. It is, at heart, a prince shape, with exactly the compact, featherweight proportions that the shape’s classical renditions are known for. At the same time, it takes a really interesting approach to shaping, with the bowl being squat and ever so slightly bulbous, similarly to the way the Danes carve their apple, egg, and brandy shapes. The grain is superb—though that is to be expected from Nathan—with plenty of bird’s-eye, a glimmering, light stain, and a stem of hand cut cumberland that pairs perfectly with the bowl’s hue.

 

Details:

Length: 5.2″ / 132.0mm

Bowl Width: 0.63″ / 16.00mm

Bowl Depth: 0.78″ / 19.81mm

Weight: 0.9oz / 28g