Ferndown Bark 3 Star XL Panel Bent Billiard Estate Briar Pipe, English Estates

Description

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.

Ferndown’s Bark series was one of those rare examples where the old phrase of “suffering for one’s art” was not mere hyperbole. As is explained in our interview with Les Wood on the main MBSD Pipes hub, “Barking” a stummel involved a split drill bit, a rapidly rotating motor, and an awareness that one wrong move could mean a deep laceration in his or Dolly’s fingers—or worse. But the results spoke for themselves, with the Bark finish being among the most acclaimed rustication style in pipe making history. Even compared to most smooth or sandblasted pipes, the Bark wins over many a mind and wallet.

This one incorporates Les’ affinity for paneled shapes, taking the form of an extra large bent billiard that almost resembles an old Dunhill LC, but with an octagonal bowl. Of course, Dunhill never finished their pipes like Ferndown, and judging by how expertly fine the “Barking” on this one is, I’d wager that was Dolly’s work (Les always said that Dolly’s Barks were the best of the two). Along with the pipe’s long, black ebonite stem, the pipe features a sterling silver collar, which will, of course, have been hand turned by Les.

The condition is very good. Some wear to the rim, including some slight inner rim charring, and some very minor tooth chatter.

Details:

Length: 7″ / 177.8mm

Bowl Width: 0.80 / 20.32mm

Bowl Depth: 1.85″ / 46.99mm

Weight: 2.3oz / 66g