Edward’s XL Smooth Freehand w/ Acrylic Estate Briar Pipe, American Estates

Description

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.

As with a few of the Edward’s pipes we’ve seen, this is one of their touted Algerian briar pieces and I have to give it to them, the briar is exceptional. Taking the form of a very large freehand in the American vein (I would not be surprised if it was made by Randy Wiley), the bowl is simply covered in ultrafine, “angel hair” straight grain, with just a minimal finish draped over so as to allow that grain to “speak”—and speak it does.

The condition is very good. Minor inner rim darkening and slight handling marks.

Details:

Length: 7.6″ / 193.0mm

Bowl Width: 1.04 / 26.41mm

Bowl Depth: 1.52″ / 38.60mm

Weight: 2.8oz / 82g