Ferndown Bark 4 Star Panel Dublin Estate Briar Pipe, English Estates

Description

Les Wood and Dolly Wood began their careers in pipes working for Dunhill, with Les working in the silver mounting department, and Dolly working in the finishing department. While at Dunhill, both learned the fundamentals of making pipes, and after marrying and leaving the company, the two began to create pipes of their own. This ultimately led to the creation of L&JS Briars and the Ferndown make, widely considered to be the pinnacle of English handmade pipes. Ferndown pipes are highly coveted by pipe-smokers due to their superlative craftsman(and woman!)ship, whose bowls are oil-cured and which typically feature beautiful silverwork. Sadly, Les and Dolly retired from pipe-making in 2016, making Ferndown pipes rather scarce – especially given how difficult it is to get their owners to part with them.

Four-star pipes are particularly rare in Ferndown’s portfolio. While Les & Dolly did use a one- to four-star size grading system, the majority of the pipes they put out under the Ferndown name ranged from one to three. Given that these pipes were already much larger than the average British factory make—as was Les & Dolly’s preference—four-star Ferndowns are veritable mini-magnums, to borrow an old Dunhill term. While its length is a relatively modest six and a half inches, the pipe features an extraordinarily broad, paneled Dublin bowl, with a similarly wide and deep chamber. A mixed finish provides alternating facets of walnut-inflected flame grain and Ferndown’s signature “Bark” micro-rustication. The pipe is completed by a sterling collar from the master silversmith himself, along with a hand cut ebonite stem.

The condition is excellent. I was not sure if the pipe had been smoked, but if it has, it was smoked little, and with great care.

 

Details:

Length: 6.6″ / 167.6mm

Bowl Width: 0.91 / 23.11mm

Bowl Depth: 1.81″ / 45.97mm

Weight: 3.8oz / 108g