Ferndown Bark (2 Star) Partially Rusticated Squat Bulldog with Silver (Estate)

Ferndown pipes were made by the legendary British pipe maker Leslie “Les” John Wood, along with his wife Dolly. Both Les and Dolly previously worked for Dunhill, where Les developed his skills and reputation as Britain’s premier pipe silversmith. After leaving Dunhill, Les and Dolly began making their own pipes, with their combined knowledge and experience, yielding pipes of a quality that, arguably, exceeded even that of their former employer. Ferndown pipes are highly coveted by pipe smokers due to their superlative craftsman(and woman!)ship, being constructed from high-grade, oil-cured briar, hand cut ebonite, and, in many cases, sterling silver or solid gold ornamentation turned by Les himself. Les and Dolly retired from pipe making in 2016, making Ferndown pipes rather scarce—especially given how difficult it is to get their owners to part with them.

Though often overlooked in pipe making, rustication is an art unto itself, and few can claim to have demonstrated this fact so successfully as Leslie and Dolly Wood of Ferndown. But as with all arts, it is also one that can be suffered for. The “Barking” technique used to Les and Dolly in crafting their rusticated pipes involved pressing a stummel against a split drill as it span at several hundred RPM, creating an inimitable finish, as well as plenty of digital lacerations. But, as the market for Ferndown’s “Bark” series would show, it was well worth it, as such pipes are among the most coveted by pipe smokers then and now.

This one is a genuine classic as far as Ferndown pipes are concerned; a large, squat bulldog in the English vein (with a definite nod toward Les and Dolly’s former employer), with a faceted bowl and sterling silver collar turned by Les himself. Of course, we mustn’t forget Dolly here, as she was the one who ultimately decided which stummels (or, in this case, sections of a stummel) were to be “Barked,” or to be left smooth, a finishing that both subsequently handled together.

The condition is very good. Minor inner rim darkening and slight finish fading.

Details:

Length: 6.5″ / 165.1mm

Bowl Width: 0.90 / 22.86mm

Bowl Depth: 1.20″ / 30.48mm

Weight: 2.1oz / 62g