Charatans Make Executive Extra Large Estate Briar Pipe

Description

While Dunhill may be Britain’s most famous pipe brand, Charatan is not only older, but has the honor of being the first to have made its pipes entirely in-house. ‘Charatan’s Make’ referred to the fact that, at a time when other pipe companies were sourcing stummels and stems carved from other companies before assembling them in their factories and workshops, Charatan made every part of their pipes on the Charatan premises. So began a legacy of high-quality pipe-making under the Charatan name, one whose employees, at one time or another, included Joel Sasieni, and Ken Barnes and Barry Jones of James Upshall fame.

If, like me, you’re fascinated by the craftsmanship of not only English artisan pipes such as those of Willmer or James Upshall, but also American carvers such as Lee Von Erck, then you’re probably already familiar with Charatan’s pioneering freehands made during the Lane Era (like this one). The influence of these pipes cannot be understated, and are as important in the history of freehand carving as their Danish counterparts. The maker of this one has not only unearthed perfect, tight, uniform straight grain in its composition, but has added folds and ridges that are smooth as butter. This is a large pipe – at over seven and a half inches in length – and it is magnificent.

As can be seen from the photos, there is some darkening on the rim, but aside from that the pipe is in near-mint condition.

 

Details:

Length: 7.5″ / 190.5mm

Bowl Width: 0.83 / 21.08mm

Bowl Depth: 2.25″ / 57.15mm

Weight: 3.1oz / 90g