HS Studio Sandblasted Acorn Estate Briar Pipe, Unsmoked

Description

While China has long been associated with cheaper factory pipes, a new generation of artisans and workshops have emerged over the past decade, producing some genuinely excellent pipes. HS Studio is an example of the latter, being a Hong Kong workshop dedicated to crafting handmade briars, typically in shapes and styles reminiscent of the post-war artisan scene.

From what I’ve seen of HS Studio pipes, their carvers are heavily influenced by the later generations of Scandinavian pipe design, as well as their followers in Europe and America. This particular pipe shows affinities for the acorn shapes of Lars Ivarsson and Nanna Ivarsson, but I can’t help but think there will have been little of Wolfgang Becker’s signature wasp shape in its conception. The finish is very nice, with a good, consistent ring grain exposed by the sandblasting, and the shank accent is a similarly enjoyable touch. I wonder what it might be—Elforyn (ivorite), perhaps? Or maybe even Juma?

The pipe is completely unsmoked, with an original bowl coating.

 

Details:

Length: 5.5″ / 139.7mm

Bowl Width: 0.80 / 20.32mm

Bowl Depth: 1.38″ / 35.05mm

Weight: 1.8oz / 52g