Elwood (Ferndown) Smooth Silver Spigot Dublin Estate Briar Pipe, 9mm

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 Elwood is an especially interesting one, not only because it has one of Les’s signature sterling silver spigots, but because it looks to be an Elwood version of the Ferndown Tudor Root finish, which was already very uncommon even under the latter name. Judging by the size of the pipe, including its very capacious chamber, I would imagine this to be equivalent to a 3-star Ferndown Tudor Root, or a 2-star at the very least.

The condition is good. Some inner rim charring and some general surface wear to the rim. This pipe is chambered to allow for the use of 9mm filters if desired.

Details:

Length: 6″ / 152.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.93 / 23.62mm

Bowl Depth: 1.70″ / 43.18mm

Weight: 1.9oz / 56g