Ben Wade Unicorn Fawn XL Smooth Freehand Estate Briar Pipe, Unsmoked

Description

Though he would tragically pass away at the age of 42, Preben Holm was one of the pioneering figures in the “Danish design” movement in 20th century pipe-making – a movement that still dominates the high-grade pipe scene. By hand-shaping his pipes on a belt sander, Holm was able to make the most of the patterns of grain hidden within briar, creating spectacular works of pipe art that looked just as good as they smoked. Even Herman Lane, owner of Lane Ltd. and Charatan during the 1960s and 1970s, was so impressed by Holm that he contracted the Danish artisan to carve pipes under his newly-acquired Ben Wade make, despite simultaneously stewarding the meteoric rise of English-made freehand pipes through Charatan). Today, Holm’s pipes remain highly sought-after, perhaps even more so than when he was still alive, to the extent that even the historic—and, originally, very English—Ben Wade name is difficult to separate from Holm’s work.

Preben Holm’s Unicorn series for Ben Wade was one distinguished by mounted fitments. In other words, each one had a shank extension cut from either vulcanite or acrylic, into which the mouthpiece fitted, much like a traditional army mount. Of course, the overall designs were far from traditional, being instead prime examples of the modern, “Danish Fancy” freehand pipes that Holm is today all but synonymous with. Being Holm, these mounts were, typically, not simply small accents or geometric cylinders, but were cut so as to match stylistically the rest of the pipe, utilizing asymmetry, facets, steps, and so on, so as to produce a consistent aesthetic for each pipe’s unique design. This one wears the Tawny finish seen elsewhere in Holm’s work for Ben wade, a light brown, smooth polish of a hue evoking its namesake. The choice of an amber-toned mount and mouthpiece is especially appropriate in that regard, with each part of the pipe having a nice, golden sheen.

This pipe is completely unsmoked, with an original bowl coating.

Details:

Length: 7.8″ / 198.1mm

Bowl Width: 0.97 / 24.63mm

Bowl Depth: 1.84″ / 46.73mm

Weight: 2.4oz / 70g