Fe-Ro Straight Grain Dublin Estate Briar Pipe, Italian Estates [SOLD OUT]

Description

Fe-Ro, also known as fe.ro (lowercase) pipes were the creation of Federico Rovera, an Italian pipe-maker who, with his four brothers, first took up the craft in 1911, in Varese, in northern Italy. With his sons, Federico established the Figli di Federico Rovera pipe factory, which quickly became the second largest in Italy. Fe-Ro continues to make pipes to this day, offering a mixture of traditional designs and distinct, artisan creations.

Fe-Ro pipes are not as well known as some of their Italian counterparts, but those that do know them consider the make to be a hidden gem. Looking at this pipe, it is not difficult to see why. Clearly one of the make’s hand-made, artisan creations, this hybrid between a traditional Dublin and a Danish-style freehand has some of the finest straight grain I’ve come across in my time working with various new and estate pipes. The bowl has 360 degrees of tight, fine vertical grain – sometimes referred to as ‘angel hair’ – which has been stepped during the shaping to give it an almost vase-like profile. It even has a bare plateau rim with close-knit burls, which is an excellent touch. The blonde stain really makes the grain pop, and the black stain on the rim provides a nice contrast.

The pipe is in excellent condition. One can tell that it has been smoked, but also that it has been smoked carefully. With grain like that, I would too.

 

Details:

Length: 6″

Bowl Width: 22.1mm

Bowl Depth: 1.8″

Weight: 2.1oz / 62g