Jonas Design SG1 Smooth Freehand Lumberman Estate Briar Pipe, Italian Estates

Description

There are plenty of makes and makers that enjoy a healthy amount of mainstream popularity in the world of pipes. And then there are cult favorites, i.e., brands and artisans that are not as commonly known but, for those that do know them, are near-religiously lauded and sought out. Jonas Design is an example of the latter. A creation of Italian artisan Jonas Bianca in the 1960s, Jonas Design was an early, pioneering example of handmade Italian pipes. In fact, Bianca’s make took off before some of the most notable and influential brands in the Italian handmades scene, including Mastro de Paja, Caminetto, Il Ceppo, and the Savinelli Autograph workshop. Known for their excellent graining and versatility in style, Jonas Design pipes were more like a much smaller scale, Italian version of their near-contemporaries in England’s Charatan freehands.

This one, for example, is a large, long lumberman, with a distinct protruding base that’s almost reminiscent of the old Charatan “keel” motif. The briar is excellent, too, more than enough to earn the pipe’s Straight Grain rating and what I assume to be an extra accolade by way of a gold inlay on the shank (as a side note, if you happen to know more about Jonas Design pipes, please do message, as I’d love to learn more about them).

The condition is great. Very minor wear to the inner rim.

Details:

Length: 7.1″ / 180.3mm

Bowl Width: 0.99 / 25.14mm

Bowl Depth: 1.85″ / 46.99mm

Weight: 2.4oz / 70g