Erik Nording Handmade 1 Smooth Freehand Estate Briar Pipe, Danish Estates

Description

Nørding was founded by Erik Nørding in the 1960s, and is one of the oldest remaining companies to come out of the Scandinavian pipe-making renaissance that began in the mid-20th century. Now in his 80s, Erik Nørding is one of the most experienced and skilled pipe-makers in the world, and over the decades he has also been a teacher of other Danish masters, such as Poul Ilsted, Svend Axel Celius, Jens Tao Nielsen, Peder Jeppesen, and Søren Erik Andersen.

Here’s an interesting pipe: a freehand carved by one of the founders of the Danish freehand movement, Erik Nording. These days, Erik tends to only carve his Hand Made line himself, with the Nording freehands being carved by apprentices in his workshop. Back in the day, however, when this pipe was made, Erik had more time to carve his own freehands. It’s a great example of why Erik’s name, along with that of Preben Holm, became synonymous with the shape; the bowl is covered in tight, straight grain patterns that rise toward a rim kissed with patches of plateau briar. The pipe is also a sitter, which I find is quite rare for Erik’s own freehands. Whether you’re looking for a solid smoker or a little piece of Danish pipe history (or both), this one might just be perfect for you.

The condition is excellent. There’s a tiny bit of inner rim darkening, and the stem logo is quite faint, but this freehand from the Danish master himself has been preserved remarkably well.

 

Details:

Length: 5.7″ / 144.7mm

Bowl Width: 0.87 / 22.09mm

Bowl Depth: 1.96″ / 49.78mm

Weight: 2.3oz / 66g