Elwood (Ferndown) Smooth Bulldog 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.

In terms of Ferndown’s yearly production, only around 10% of the stummels turned by Les were, due to Dolly’s exacting standards, saved from being “Barked,” (the couple’s own term for their rustication technique). If a stummel did not become a Bark, it could become either a Reo (reddish-brown), a Root (light brown), or a Tudor Root (orange-brown). The principle same applied to Elwood pipes, though as Dan Pipe partnered with Les and Dolly to make an Elwood-brand Pipe of the Year on more than one occasion, which were typically rusticated, it appears even fewer smooth Elwoods were made than Ferndowns. This particular pipe is one of the latter, a rare Elwood wearing the same orange-brown finish as the Tudor Root (a rose by another name, as I’ve said before). It’s a classic, stout Les Wood bulldog, with a simple black ebonite stem and, of course, a sterling silver collar turned and mounted by Les himself.

The condition is very good. Minor inner rim darkening and handling marks. As with the majority of Elwood pipes, which were made for the German market, this one is drilled to allow for the use of 9mm filters if desired.

 

Details:

Length: 6″ / 152.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.80 / 20.32mm

Bowl Depth: 1.65″ / 41.91mm

Weight: 2.1oz / 60g