2001 Steve Weiner XL Rusticated Bent Dublin Estate Briar Pipe, American Estates

Description

Steve Weiner was an American artisan based in Cleveland, Ohio. While Weiner first began experimenting with pipe-making in 1989, his development as an artisan radically progressed after spending time learning from American master Mike Butera in the subsequent year. By 1994, he had won the coveted Pipe Maker of the Year award from the Conclave of Richmond Pipe Smokers (CORPS) – not once, but twice. Weiner established himself throughout the 1990s as one of America’s finest pipe-makers, with his sudden passing in 2002 being profound loss for the pipe community.

As the date code (09601) on this pipe indicates, it is one of the last Weiner produced, having been made in 2001. It’s a bent Dublin that appears to gesture toward the Italian-American styling of Weiner’s early teacher, Mike Butera. To me, at least, this is evident in the sweeping curvature and wide bowl of its Dublin rendition, its size, and in the pebble-dash rustication Weiner favored for his non-smooth offerings. This is one of Weiner’s extra large pipes, per the stamping. Expect long smokes, perhaps while reminiscing over what once was.

The condition is excellent. Some minor, inner rim darkening at the rear. The previous owner looked after it well.

 

Details:

Length: 6.5″ / 165.1mm

Bowl Width: 0.90 / 22.86mm

Bowl Depth: 1.99″ / 50.54mm

Weight: 3.4oz / 98g