Charatan’s Make Lane Era Selected Extra Large Freehand Estate Briar Pipe, English Estates

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.

Though the production of Charatan’s “freehand” pipes began during the last years of Reuben Charatan’s ownership of the make, it is commonly considered that the English freehand (in contrast to the Danish variety) did not reach its zenith until the company was bought by Herman Lane after Reuben’s passing. While Reuben was a master pipe maker himself, turning the majority of Charatan’s Straight Grain pipes himself during his tenure, Herman was a far savvier businessman, helping take the company to heights it had never before reached. In part due to severe competition from the Danes, and in part due to a need to produce pipes to justify the price points Herman aimed for, Charatan’s freehand carvers produced extraordinary works, especially during the first decade of the so-called “Lane era.” This Extra Large Selected grade is from that first period under Lane’s ownership, showing off copious straight grain under a light, natural finish, as well as a very English, very “Charatan” approach to shaping, taking the form of a paneled, plateaux-topped Dublin.

The condition is good. Some inner rim darkening and a slightly over-reamed chamber. The stem looks like it could be a replacement, though if so, it’s professionally done, matching the Double Comfort saddle that Herman Lane mandated for most Charatan pipes. I’ve priced the pipe as I would normally do for pipe I knew for certain had replacement stems, just to play it safe.

 

Details:

Length: 7.5″ / 190.5mm

Bowl Width: 1.37 / 34.79mm

Bowl Depth: 1.75″ / 44.45mm

Weight: 4.0oz / 116g