Pipe Tristan Natural Granite Rusticated “55” Pot Handmade Briar Pipe, New

Description

Pipe Tristan is the name used by French artisan Tristan Lefebvre. Lefebvre is part of a new wave of up-and-coming hand made pipe carvers from the birthplace of briar, following in the footsteps of figures such as Alain Albuisson, Paul Lanier, and Pierre Morel Sr and Jr. Lefebvre credits a wide range of influences upon his pipe-making, such as modern greats from Italy and Denmark, such as Carlo Scotti’s Castello and Tom Eltang, as well as more unique sources of inspiration, such as the centuries-old hunting pipes native to Germany’s southern Bavarian region. As such, Tristan is equally at home crafting his own spin on the ’55,’ the hawbill, or the Danish Dublin as he is reviving the Ulmer Kloben – when he isn’t inventing his own shapes, that is.

Speaking of the 55, here we have one of Tristan’s homages to the iconic Castello shape. If you’re familiar with Castello pipes, you might notice, as I did, that Tristan’s rendition is closer to the earlier 55s produced under Carlo Scotti’s tenure than many modern versions. It is dressed in Tristan’s signature Granite finish – a similar nod to the granular, pebble-dash Italian style of rustication, with Lefebvre’s version being particularly rugged and tactile. Unlike some other, lighter-hued pipes from Lefebvre, this one wears a near-naked stain, which he only uses when the briar he sources is exceptionally high-grade, much like Castello’s Natural Vergin or Savinelli’s Punto Oro Corallo pipes. This one’s finish is paired with osmething you won’t find on most Italian pipes, however: high-grade, cumberland ebonite.

 

Details:

Length: 5.2″ / 132.0mm

Bowl Width: 0.87 / 22.09mm

Bowl Depth: 1.15″ / 29.21mm

Weight: 1.9oz / 56g