Christophe Wolff Smooth “Fleur” Freehand w/ Olivewood Handmade Briar Pipe, New

Description

France appears to be undergoing something of a revival recently when it comes to its maîtres-pipiers. Chapuis-Comoy & Cie., which manufactures Chacom, Ropp, and other pipes, is, of course, still going strong with two centuries of history at its back. But there is also a growing number of native and expatriate solo pipe makers in France today, many of whom have already demonstrated their prowess on the world stage. These include members of the old guard of French artisanry, such as Pierre Morel and Pierre Voisin, as well the newer generation, comprised of figures such as as Tristan Lefebvre, Joseph Rimbaud, Belgian-born Bruno Nuttens, and English-born Chris Herriot. Christophe Wolff is another example of the latter. A former mechanic and machinist, Wolff would later study aspects of high-grade pipe making with Jean-Luc Rochat and Bruno Nuttens, culminating in the creation of Wolff Pipes. Wolff is highly skilled in both traditional and free-hand pipe making, crafting expert renditions of Anglo-French classics, as well as more modern designs, including his own interpretations of the Morelian fleur.

Speaking of the fleur, this is one of Wolff’s renditions of that very shape. Or, rather, that genre of shapes. To give some background: France has its own, distinct way of approaching freehand pipes, which was popularized by one of its undisputed masters, Pierre Morel. While they are very similar to Danish “fancy” freehands, employing much the same manufacturing process, fleurs are—as the name implies—intentionally carved to be more “floral” in appearance. Wolff tends to make his own fleur renditions a little more bulbous than, say, Morel’s tall and slender bouquets, as seen in the case of this one. This is also one of Wolff’s less common smooth finished pipes, reserved for only those blocks that meet his high standards for briar, and is dressed in a warm, walnut contrast stain that gives the pipe extra depth, even on its plateaux rim. The stem is black ebonite and, as a final touch, this fleur includes a ferrule carved from olivewood, but which has been itself stained to take on a more leathery hue.

 

Details:

Length: 5.6″ / 142.2mm

Bowl Width: 0.76 / 19.30mm

Bowl Depth: 1.50″ / 38.1mm

Weight: 1.8oz / 52g