Bjarne Smooth Freehand Pickaxe (Estate)

Bjarne Nielsen was one of the towering figures of Danish pipe-making until his passing in 2008. As the founder of Bjarne, Nielsen employed talented pipe-makers from Denmark to produce distinctly Danish pipes and sold them to a devoted international audience. Among those in his employ were figures such as Mogens Johansen (also known as Johs), Ph. Vigen, Ole Bandholm and Tonni Nielsen. Though Bjarne pipes are no longer manufactured, they are still in good demand by those who enjoy well-made pipes in the tradition of Danish design.

If you’re looking for a good, Danish freehand pipe, there are a few makes you can’t go wrong with. Preben Holm, Nording, and, of course, Bjarne, are a few very reliable names, and not without reason. After all, Bjarne Nielsen himself was a many of many talents, and one of them was finding the finest Danish pipe makers of the day and having them make Bjarne pipes.

This one is an especially sharp take on the Danish Fancy genre, to the point where it might also be classified as a “pickaxe” of sorts. Nicely grained, and with a good hand-feel, it is exactly the quintessential freehand that Bjarne was known for (among other things).

The condition is good. Some inner rim darkening and slight finish fading.

Details:

Length: 5.9″ / 149.8mm

Bowl Width: 0.79 / 20.06mm

Bowl Depth: 1.55″ / 39.37mm

Weight: 1.5oz / 45g