Elwood (Ferndown) Rusticated Billiard Estate Briar Pipe, Unsmoked, 9mm

Description

Les Wood and Dolly Wood both began their careers in pipes working for Dunhill, with Les working in the silver mounting department, and Dolly working in the finishing department. While at Dunhill, both learned the fundamentals of making pipes, and after marrying and leaving the company, the two began to create pipes of their own. This led to the creation of L&JS Briars and, ultimately, the “Ferndown” make. It didn’t take long for the Ferndown name to become associated with some of the best British handmade pipes around, but when Dan Pipe approached the Woods about importing their pipes to Germany, a problem arose. As Les told me (see the MBSD interview with him for more), Dan Pipe’s management thought that German speakers would be able to pronounce “Ferndown,” so “Elwood” was eventually settled on as a substitute.

Much like the pipes Les and Dolly Wood made for Astleys, Elwood pipes are essentially Ferndown pipes by another name. This means that their finishes are equivalent to the latter and, even though they did not bear the equivalent stamping, the standard Ferndown terminology was used in Dan Pipe’s advertising. This particular Elwood is essentially a Ferndown “Bark,” and likely a two star size equivalent by the looks of it. It is a stout billiard, with a figure quite reminiscent of the Dunhill LB, which Les and Dolly would have been very familiar with. Additionally, as with many Ferndown pipes, it features Les Wood’s signature sterling silverware. What really sets it apart, however, is that it has not one, but two engine-turned silver bands; one at the shank end and one crowning its bowl.

This pipe is, quite remarkably, completely unsmoked, with an original bowl coating. As it was made for the German market, it is chambered to accommodate 9mm filters (whether activated charcoal, meerschaum, or balsa), but should also accommodate an adapter for those who prefer not using filters.

 

Details:

Length: 5.8″ / 147.3mm

Bowl Width: 0.81 / 20.57mm

Bowl Depth: 1.66″ / 42.16mm

Weight: 2.1oz / 62g