Elwood (Ferndown) Partially Rusticated Apple w/ Silver Estate Briar Pipe, English Estates, 9mm

Description

Les Wood and Dolly Wood both began their careers in pipes working for Dunhill, with Les working in the silver mounting department, and Dolly working in the finishing department. While at Dunhill, both learned the fundamentals of making pipes, and after marrying and leaving the company, the two began to create pipes of their own. This led to the creation of L&JS Briars and, ultimately, the “Ferndown” make. It didn’t take long for the Ferndown name to become associated with some of the best British handmade pipes around, but when Dan Pipe approached the Woods about importing their pipes to Germany, a problem arose. As Les told us (see the MBSD interview with him for more), Dan Pipe’s management thought that German speakers would not be able to pronounce “Ferndown,” so “Elwood” (as in “L. Wood”) was eventually settled on as a substitute.

One of the things about making pipes for the German market—at least, until quite recently—is that the design almost inevitably has to be a little thicker than one would otherwise make. This is because—again, at least until recently—German pipe smokers have had an overwhelming tendency to use 9mm filters, with this reaching around 90% at its peak. What should one do in this scenario? If we look at Stanwell in the 1980s, the shapes in their catalog became larger, in part because of a shift in design trends in Danish pipe making and, most likely, because this was the decade that Stanwell made a significant investment in the German market for their pipes, which had to allow for a either a 3mm or 9mm bore. If we look at the pipes Les and Dolly Wood made for the German market, a similar, though not quite as pronounced, trend is apparent. Ferndown pipes were already quite stout, but Elwood pipes were often even more so, even venturing into the territory of the voluptuous, ensuring that the bowl did not seem out of place relative to the shank. This Elwood certainly fits that description, though it is also distinctly short, with a stubbiness that one also finds in German-market pipes made by German artisans. Perhaps Les Wood’s friendship with Holger Frickert and the wider Dan Pipe milieu influenced his shaping. Either way, the result is both classic Ferndown and something enjoyably different from the Woods’ established style.

The condition is great. Some minor wear to the rim, though nothing major. As mentioned, this pipe is chambered to allow for the use of 9mm filters if desired.

Details:

Length: 5.5″ / 139.7mm

Bowl Width: 0.86 / 21.84mm

Bowl Depth: 1.67″ / 42.41mm

Weight: 2.1oz / 62g