Kent Rasmussen 1 Star Wide Dublin Estate Briar Pipe, Danish Estates

Description

Kent Rasmussen is a Danish pipe-maker and one whose meteoric rise in renown is nothing less than impressive. Rasmussen initially found his vocation in architecture and engineering, devoting the rest of his time to pursuing a career in modern art in a variety of mediums. By his late-30s, however, Ramussen had grown discontented with both, Rasmussen found an interest in pipe-making. In 1998, Rasmussen met Teddy Knudsen, who was by then one of Denmark’s most celebrated artisans, who guided Rasmussen and helped further kindle the latter’s newfound passion for briar. Today, Rasmussen’s pipes command the same admiration as legendary Danish pipe-makers who got their start before he was born, such as Hans “Former” Nielsen and Erik Nording – and often even higher prices!

I think this is the first Kent Rasmussen pipe we’ve had at MBSD, which figures because they’re about as rare as hens’ teeth. The design looks to be playing with the wide Dublin and “Eskimo,” or “Inuit,” shapes associated with Danish icons – such as Sixten Ivarsson for the former and Tom Eltangfor the latter – that have since become key points of reference for the contemporary artisan scene. It is very much what I would expect from a Kent pipe: extraordinary grain cut from Mimmo briar, a modernist sensibility with regard to shaping, and a stem inlay made from what I would wager is Masur Birch. While many of Kent’s pipes are simply ungraded, this pipe achieved the uncommon accomplishment of receiving a one-star grade, which figures, as I find myself getting lost every time I peek at the endless plane of bird’s-eye patterns on its underside.

The condition is excellent. Some very minor inner rim darkening.

 

Details:

Length: 5.5″ / 139.7mm

Bowl Width: 0.83 / 21.08mm

Bowl Depth: 1.03″ / 26.16mm

Weight: 1.6oz / 48g