Ferndown Root One Star Smooth Bent Billiard Estate Briar Pipe, English Estates

Description

Ferndown pipes were made by the legendary British pipe-maker Leslie ‘Les’ John Wood, along with his wife Dolly. Both Les and Dolly previously worked for Dunhill, where Les developed his skills and reputation as Britain’s premier pipe silversmith, as well as one of its premier pipe carvers. 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.

As many as 90% of Ferndown pipes were rusticated in Les & Dolly’s signature “Bark” finish, meaning smooth-finished pipes like this one were quite the minority. Dolly, who was in charge of deciding which finish a pipe would receive once Les had turned it, was rather exacting in that regard, meaning that, if a Ferndown was to be given a glassy polish, the briar had to deserve it. This 3/4 bent billiard—which borders on being an Oom Paul—most certainly did, with each of the bowl’s flanks being decked out in bird’s-eye patterns. While certainly not a coffee pipe, this is one of the smaller Ferndowns I’ve had my hands on, being a one-star size grade (approximately a Dunhill group 4 equivalent). As a result, it is very lightweight, and should be an ideal clencher, or hanger.

The condition is very good. Minor handling marks.

Details:

Length: 5.5″ / 139.7mm

Bowl Width: 0.81 / 20.57mm

Bowl Depth: 1.55″ / 39.37mm

Weight: 1.5oz / 45g