BST (Todd Bannard) Sandblasted Billiard Estate Briar Pipe, Unsmoked

Description

To call Canada’s Todd Bannard, the artisan behind Briar, Sweat and Tears (BST) pipes, a “cult favorite” would be a profound understatement. Like his fellow countrymen Michael Parks and Julius Vesz, Bannard’s work has demonstrated that, though Canada may have far fewer pipe-makers than its neighbors in the US, Canadian handmades truly are a matter of quality over quantity. Similarly to Parks especially, BST pipes are very difficult to get hold of, as they are snapped up as soon as—and, indeed, often long before—they are available for purchase.

If you’re familiar with Bannard’s work, you’ll know that he has a great love of classic shapes. While many of his contemporaries tend toward Scandinavian-style designs, Bannard has instead spent much of his time perfecting Anglo-French staples. This one is a very traditional billiard in almost every way. Echoing the reserved, deep and dark sandblast finishes of (what became) Barling’s Fossil, or the early Dunhill Shell Briar, and others from the early to mid-20th century, this BST is a near-black featherweight that keeps things simple but perfectly executed. Unlike the 20th century greats, however, this one has a stem hand-cut from high-grade ebonite, rather than a standard, pre-molded factory one.

This pipe is completely unsmoked and comes with its original sleeve.

Details:

Length: 5.7″ / 144.7mm

Bowl Width: 0.82 / 20.82mm

Bowl Depth: 1.66″ / 42.16mm

Weight: 1.1oz / 34g