Ferndown Bark * Rusticated Poker w/ Silver Spigot 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.

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” line would show, it was well worth it, with the line being among the most coveted by pipe smokers then and now. This particular Bark is an example of one of Les Wood’s signature shapes, the sturdy, sterling silver spigot-mounted poker, with the spigot being hand-turned and mounted by the master silversmith himself.

The condition is very good. Some minor darkening and finish fading on the inner rim.

Details:

Length: 6″ / 152.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.82 / 20.82mm

Bowl Depth: 1.60″ / 40.64mm

Weight: 2.7oz / 78g