Dave Neeb Smooth Apple Estate Briar Pipe, American Estates

Dave Neeb spent the first part of his life as an attorney. Upon retiring, however, he turned his hand to an altogether different vocation: pipes. First, Neeb was a pipe seller; he then learned the art of pipe restoration; finally, under the tutelage of Lee Von Erck and Rad Davis, he took up making artisan pipes himself. This continued for many years, with Neeb’s restoration of high-grade pipes being practiced side by side with the crafting of his own – pipes that deservedly amassed a cult following. Eventually, Neeb retired from pipe restoration and sales, but his pipe-making endeavors are, to the relief of many a smoker, not over yet.

I think this might be the very first estate pipe made by Dave Neeb that we’ve had come through our trade-in program, which should give you an idea of how dearly their owners regard them. It is a very traditional apple, almost bordering on a prince shape, dressed in a natural stain reminiscent of the great Saint-Claude pipe-makers of the early 20th century. This old-world quality is only enhanced by the pipe’s Lucite stem, as even though Lucite is a far more modern invention, its hue is reminiscent of a material that the earliest pipe-makers did use: amber. Where this one truly departs from fin-de-siècle pipes, however, is in its superior briar grain.

The condition is great. Very minor inner rim darkening.

Details:

Length: 6″ / 152.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.88 / 22.35mm

Bowl Depth: 1.50″ / 38.10mm

Weight: 1.9oz / 54g