Hilson Unicorn 272 Smooth Dublin w/ Pipenite Estate Briar Pipe, Belgian Estates

Description

Hilson is something of an outlier in the pipe world, in that it is a successful company not from England, Denmark, France, the USA, or indeed any of the countries typically associated with pipe-making. Instead, Hilson is a pipe company that began in Belgium. Hilson was founded by the Hillen family in Bree in the late 19th century and went on to achieve considerable success during the mid-20th, before being bought out by Dutch company Gubbels. Given its geographical location, it should be no surprise that Hilson’s designs bear a mixture of French, German, and Danish influence. Before his passing, legendary artisan Rainer Barbi also designed pipes for the Belgian make.

Speaking of Danish influence, I’d wager there was a good deal of that in the making of this pickaxe-like Dublin from Hilson. But that’s not the most interesting thing about it. For one, the pipe features a mount carved from Pipenite, Hilson’s signature resin (most famously used on its Fantasia pipes, which were a rare example of a block meerschaum-lined pipe, with Pipenite instead of briar for the outer bowl). Another interesting thing is that this is not a Dutch Hilson, as is the case for all Hilson pipes made since the 1980s. Instead, it was crafted in Hilson’s native Belgium prior to the make’s acquisition by Gubbels in the Netherlands. It’s a pleasant little thing, in addition to having some interesting history behind it.

The condition is very good. Some minor inner rim darkening and slight residual stem oxidation.

Details:

Length: 6.2″ / 157.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.90 / 22.86mm

Bowl Depth: 1.70″ / 43.18mm

Weight: 1.4oz / 42g