James Barber (Ferndown) Chevin Antique 2 Star Partially Rusticated 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.

James Barber is a tobacconist in Otley, England, and it’s one that had a long history with Les and Dolly Wood, of Ferndown. In fact, I’m fairly certain that it still does have a connection to the two, as the Woods and the Barbers are good friends, last I checked. As regards pipes, however, back in the early 2000s, James Barber wanted to sell Ferndown pipes, but there were issues with the make’s existing distribution agreements that could not easily be resolved. This led to Les and Dolly making house-brand pipes for James Barber using the latter’s name, and instead of the usual names for Ferndown finishes, names of locales in the Otley area were adopted. Thus, instead of the Ferndown Root, James Barber sold the James Barber York. They were essentially the same pipe, just like Ferndown’s pipes for Astleys, and, just as in the case of the latter, it is a case of “a rose by any other name” as far as fine English pipes go.

The Chevin was the James Barber equivalent of a Ferndown Bark, Les and Dolly Wood’s signature, split drill hewn micro-rusticated finish. The Antique Chevin was, as one might imagine, the James Barber equivalent of the Ferndown Antique Bark, which wore a light, tan top-coat in contrast to the Bark’s black and red contrast. Just like with the Ferndown Antique Bark, these were a little rarer than the standard Bark/Chevin, as they required particularly excellent briar. As Dolly had been in Dunhill’s finishing department, she had a keen eye for such things, and it was she who made the judgement, for each stummel Les turned, which finish would be most appropriate.

The condition is good. Some rim darkening and chamber slightly over-reamed at the lip.

Details:

Length: 5.6″ / 142.2mm

Bowl Width: 0.84 / 21.33mm

Bowl Depth: 1.70″ / 43.18mm

Weight: 1.7oz / 50g