Edward’s XL Smooth Oom Paul 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 period, during the 1960s-1970s, coincided with Edward’s priding 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.

This is one such pipe, and it is likely the most traditional in style of the Edward’s we’ve had come through from that era. Not that there’s anything wrong with that—especially when the pipe looks like this one does. As an exceedingly large Oom Paul rendition, with exceedingly good bird’s-eye grain, I’d be most inclined to compare the pipe not to Charatan, but to Comoy’s (an Extraordinaire shape 235, to be precise).

The condition is good. Chamber slightly over-reamed and a couple of small scratches on the bowl.

Details:

Length: 6.5″ / 165.1mm

Bowl Width: 0.87 / 22.09mm

Bowl Depth: 2.03″ / 51.56mm

Weight: 2.1oz / 62g