Peter Matzhold 4E Smooth Brandy w/ Teardrop Shank Estate Briar Pipe, Unsmoked

Description

Of all the Austrian artisans alive today, Peter Matzhold may well be the foremost maker of handmade pipes in the entire nation. In fact, he is one of the foremost living artisans in the entire German-speaking region of Europe, rivaled only by figures such as Wolfgang Becker. Originally trained and employed as an architect, Matzhold began his full-time career as a pipe-maker in 1978. He achieved considerable success in the latter and now has over four decades’ worth of experience in the craft—something plainly evident from the quality of his work.

We don’t get many Peter Matzhold estates come through here at MBSD. Having been a keen shopper (usually window shopping) at other vendors’ estates sales since long before MBSD opened, I know they’re pretty rare across the board. Having the chance to inspect this one, though, I can see why. From the outset, it’s a gorgeous, broad-bowled brandy design, with the kind of tight “angel hair” straight grain that many an artisan would do unspeakable things for. But it also has a few tricks up its sleeve, shape-wise. The narrow shank, for example, is actually what’s commonly called a “teardrop shank,” due to the way it’s been cut. But it’s such a subtle and unique execution of that motif that it becomes something completely unto its own. The saddle of the stem is also cut at an off-angle that mimics the shank-end’s distinct curvature. This is one really interesting pipe. It’s an E grade, too, which is nearer the higher end of Matzhold’s system—though that doesn’t surprise me.

This Matzhold is also completely unsmoked. It also comes with its original leather sleeve.

 

Details:

Length: 5.8″ / 147.3mm

Bowl Width: 0.75 / 19.05mm

Bowl Depth: 1.55″ / 39.37mm

Weight: 1.7oz / 50g