Bjarne XL Smooth Freehand Estate Briar Pipe, Danish Estates

Description

Bjarne Nielsen was one of the towering figures of Danish pipe-making until his passing in 2008. As the founder of Bjarne, Nielsen employed talented pipe-makers from Denmark to produce distinctly Danish pipes and sold them to a devoted international audience. Among those in his employ were figures such as Mogens Johansen (also known as Johs), Ph. Vigen, Ole Bandholm and Tonni Nielsen. Though Bjarne pipes are no longer manufactured, they are still in good demand by those who enjoy well-made pipes in the tradition of Danish design.

If you’re looking for a good, Danish freehand pipe, there are a few makes you can’t go wrong with. Preben Holm, Nording, and, of course, Bjarne, are a few very reliable names, and not without reason. This wide-chambered, extra large freehand is extraordinarily well grained, with consistent, tight straight grain surrounding its bowl, and interrupted only by a distinctive, feather spot carving on the shank.

The condition is great. Very minor inner rim wear. With a plateaux rim as wide as this one has, I would have expected more darkening, but it looks like its previous owner had a steady hand, and an appreciation for good pipes.

 

Details:

Length: 6.4″ / 162.5mm

Bowl Width: 0.97 / 24.63mm

Bowl Depth: 1.56″ / 39.62mm

Weight: 2.4oz / 70g