Mark Tinsky Tan Blast 5, Sandblasted Bent Bulldog Estate Briar Pipe

Description

American artisan Mark Tinsky first came to prominence as a pipe-maker during the late 1970s, when he and Curt Rollar founded the appropriately named American Pipe Smoking Co. Tinsky and Rollar’s partnership continued until 1990, when the pair split amicably, with Tinsky retaining ownership of the company. In the early 21st century, Mark Tinsky began to carve pipes under his own name, while continuing to use the American name for his expanded venture into pipe-making supplies for the next generation of master artisans.

Like Mike Butera or Tim West, Mark Tinsky is a legend in the American artisan scene, and has earned this reputation over more than 40 years in the craft. This particular Tinsky is a group 5 ‘Tan Blast,’ and what a blast it is! Recalling Dunhill’s Tanshell, the Tan Blast is a sandblasted, minimally stained finish that darkens over time, as the briar absorbs natural residues during the smoking process. Tinsky’s finish is, however, perhaps closer to Ashton’s earlier Old Church pipes, given that Tinsky, like Bill Taylor, expertly captures the ring grain of the briar used. The shape of the pipe has a great feel to it too, being a good-sized, quarter bent Rhodesian, whose curvature allows the pipe to sit snugly between the fingers.

The condition is very good. The finish has begun to darken a little from previous use, but this is to be expected.

Details:

Length: 6″ / 152.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.87 / 22.09mm

Bowl Depth: 1.66″ / 42.16mm

Weight: 2.2oz / 64g