Walt Cannoy 10th Anniversary Cardinal House Hollingsworth Smooth Pickaxe Handmade Briar Pipe, New

Description

Walt Cannoy first emerged as a major figure in the the North American pipe-making renaissance around the turn of the millennium. Originally an R&D mechanic, Cannoy carved and sold his first pipe in 1999, having been inspired by artisan pipe-makers as diverse as Preben Holm, Robert “Micoli” Burns, and Joe Mariner. Cannoy would soon rise in the ranks of the North American artisan scene, becoming one of its premier high-grade carvers.

Named after various landmarks in Cannoy’s native Florida, “Cardinal House” began as a side-project of sorts, whereby Cannoy could offer relatively inexpensive pipes alongside his high-grade, high-demand Signature works. While the first Cardinal House pipes were akin to “seconds,” Cannoy soon became dissatisfied with this approach, leading him to rethink what it would mean to make high-quality, artisan pipes that were comparable in price to reputable factory makes. Instead of reducing costs by using cheaper materials, or utilizing pre-fabricated components (such as stummels and stems), Cannoy focused instead on streamlining his manufacturing process, leading to Cardinal House as it is known today. Handmade from the same briar blocks, ebonite rods, and various ornaments as the Walt Cannoy Signature series, Cardinal House’s enduring affordability represents simply the culmination of decades spent isolating and refining all of the essential techniques involved in one’s craft.

I was quite surprised that this particular pipe by Walt Cannoy wasn’t put within his signature series, as it is a magnificent, imposing specimen of his work. Leaning into the post-war Scandinavian tradition, the design is one of a large pickaxe, or might even be considered something of an asymmetric elephant’s foot. The latter’s tiger-stripe cross-grain flanks are certainly there, though in this instance the front of the bowl is an explosion of plateaux burl. The rest of the design pulls out all the stops, featuring a three-knuckle bamboo shank extension, twin bands of genuine horn, and a flared mouthpiece hand-cut from German NYH ebonite. This Hollingsworth also belongs to the 10th Anniversary run of Cardinal House pipes and includes a special, commemorative sleeve.

 

Details:

Length: 7.2″ / 182.8mm

Bowl Width: 0.71 / 18.03mm

Bowl Depth: 1.90″ / 48.26mm

Weight: 2.4oz / 70g