JT Cooke Large Sandblasted Squat Bulldog Estate Briar Pipe, American Estates

Description

J.T. Cooke is a Vermont-based American artisan carver with a number of impressive credentials under his belt. Cooke was originally based at Elliot Nachtwalter and Jeorg Jemelka’s The Briar Workshop, in a role which included making pipes for Wilke’s tobacconist in Philadelphia. After leaving the Workshop, Cooke collaborated with Barry Levin in establishing the estate pipes market as we know it, by restoring pipes for Levin’s outfit. During this time, Cooke would also begin to make pipes under his own name. Today, Cooke’s pipes are among the most sought after in the American artisan scene thanks to their distinct and often unparalleled shaping, engineering, and finishing. As of 2024, and after five decades in the craft, Cooke has officially retired from pipe-making.

It’s no secret that JT Cooke was greatly inspired by the titans of English pipe-making. As such, many of his pipes were homages to classic English shapes, particularly those of Dunhill. For those who are also fans of Dunhill’s historic catalog, this particular Cooke should evoke two cult-favorites: the OD 838, and its slightly smaller sister shape, the O. Cooke’s is on the large side, bringing it closer to the 838, and sports his signature sandblasted finish. I’d say the pictures do a fine job in demonstrating the practically unparalleled quality of Cooke’s ring grained, craggy blasts, but believe me when I say it looks (and feels!) even better up close.

The condition is great. Some very minor scratches on the stem.

 

Details:

Length: 6.5″ / 165.1mm

Bowl Width: 0.91 / 23.11mm

Bowl Depth: 1.37″ / 34.79mm

Weight: 2.7oz / 78g