WO Larsen (Sven Knudsen) Straight Grain 3 Smooth Stack Estate Briar Pipe, Danish Estates

Description

WO Larsen was a tobacconist in Copenhagen Denmark. In the 1960s, when Danish-style pipes were becoming highly sought after, thanks to revolutionary pipe-makers such as Sixten Ivarsson, a workshop was set up on the Larsen premises to produce enough high-grade Danish pipes to meet demand. This workshop was staffed by the emerging masters of Danish pipe-making, such as Sven and Teddy Knudsen, Hans ‘Former’ Nielsen, Jess Chonowitsch, Poul Ilsted, and Benni Jorgensen.

In the early years of the WO Larsen workshop, there were two main shape types: the Handmade and the Fancy. Both were made by hand, but the former were more classically inclined, whereas the latter were closer to what we call “freehand” pipes. In addition to this division, certain pipes were carved by the workshop’s top craftsmen, with the pinnacle of their output receiving a rare, “Straight Grain” classification and an ascending, numerical grade. This pipe, from the early 1960s, looks to be the Fancy shape 1127 (though with a slight variation on the stem design, as was common), and is a Straight Grain grade 3. As it is an early Larsen, it will likely have been carved by the then-foreman, Sven Knudsen.

The condition is fair. There are a couple of dark spots around the bowl, either from handling marks or from previously having been smoked a little too hot, causing exterior discoloration. The chamber walls are sound, however. The price has nonetheless been adjusted to reflect this, which should make it the most affordable Straight Grain around.

 

Details:

Length: 5.6″ / 142.2mm

Bowl Width: 0.91 / 23.11mm

Bowl Depth: 1.87″ / 47.49mm

Weight: 0.9oz / 26g