Bruce Weaver 2014 Smooth Lovat Estate Briar Pipe, American Estates

Description

Bruce Weaver was, quite simply, one of America’s great artisans, something made even more impressive by his relatively short career. He first studied pipe making with Lee Von Erck, before continuing to develop his skills under Tim West and Todd Johnson, the latter of which he would end up collaborating with on certain pieces. Weaver would also go on to “pay it forward” through guidance given to other artisans, such as Scott Thile and Sam Adebayo. Weaver passed away in 2019.

The flood of tributes that emerged in the wake of Bruce Weaver’s passing should give a good indication of just how beloved he was in the artisan pipe scene. He was, of course, also a “world class pipe maker,” as former mentee Scott Thile put it, with his absence leaving a palpable void in the number of high-grade pipes available to smokers. Fear not, however, as, so long as it is properly cared for, a well made pipe will outlive us all. Speaking of which, here we have an exquisite, straight grain Lovat from Weaver, which has indeed been looked after. Despite its fairly typical size, it is a genuine featherweight, and its ever so slightly Danish brandy-ish composition gives it a final, distinctive, edge.

The condition is very good. The chamber is possibly a little over-reamed, but nothing major. A small amount of residual oxidation is present on its ebonite stem, but again nothing that warrants worrying about.

 

Details:

Length: 5.6″ / 142.2mm

Bowl Width: 0.75 / 19.05mm

Bowl Depth: 1.69″ / 42.92mm

Weight: 0.8oz / 24g