Edward’s Magnum Smooth Freehand Pickaxe Estate Briar Pipe, American Estates

While it has, at times, contracted other parties to produce pipes under its name, Edward’s used to manufacture both pipes and tobacco of its own, with a view to becoming the “American Charatan” for the former. The brand was a pioneer for American freehand pipes in this way, with its employed carvers including the great Randy Wiley. This particular pipe looks to be from around the 1960s-1970s, back when Edward’s prided itself on using choice Algerian briar (which the Algerian war of independence later interrupted the supply of) which was specially oil-cured and very lightly finished.

The design is clearly quite Danish inspired, taking the form of a very large freehand pickaxe-skater-Oom Paul hybrid. It seems Edward’s wasn’t kidding about the briar either, which is impressively consistent for a bowl of this size.

The condition is good. Some inner rim charring and a few scratches around the bowl.

Details:

Length: 7.1″ / 180.3mm

Bowl Width: 0.87 / 22.09mm

Bowl Depth: 1.81″ / 45.97mm

Weight: 3.0oz / 86g