BST (Todd Bannard) Sandblasted Billiard Estate Briar Pipe, Canadian Estates

Description

To call Canada’s Todd Bannard, the artisan behind Briar, Sweat and Tears (BST) pipes, a “cult favorite” would be a profound understatement. Like his fellow countrymen Michael Parks and Julius Vesz, Bannard’s work has demonstrated that, though Canada may have far fewer pipe-makers than its neighbors in the US, Canadian handmades truly are a matter of quality over quantity. Similarly to Parks especially, BST pipes are very difficult to get hold of, as they are snapped up as soon as—and, indeed, often long before—they are available for purchase.

You do not know how hard it was for me not to simply keep this pipe. As a big fan of great English makes like Ashton, Charatan, and Dunhill (especially mid-century pieces), I was quite stunned when this pipe landed on my desk. When I realized it was Bannard’s, I was less surprised. After all, there are very few out there who can pull off a classic Anglo-French shape like he does. The pipe itself is a wonderfully lightweight, classic billiard, with a deep, ring grain sandblast reminiscent of the early Dunhill Tanshell or Charatan Relief models, along with a hand cut cumberland stem. If I didn’t know it was a BST, I’d have guessed it was a 1980s Ashton Old Church out of the hands of Bill Taylor.

The condition is excellent. Smoked, but with great care.

 

Details:

Length: 5.7″ / 144.7mm

Bowl Width: 0.80 / 20.32mm

Bowl Depth: 1.46″ / 37.08mm

Weight: 1.1oz / 34g