MBSD Briars Modern Masters 3 Sandblasted Tulip w/ Boxwood Handmade Briar Pipe, New

Description

Modern Masters is part of a new instalment of our own, house-brand pipes. After creating the affordable “By Vitale” line in partnership with Piero Vitale, we wanted to expand into pipes that were made by hand, but were still easy on the wallet. This gave birth to two new series of pipes; one that would be more classical in style, and another that would be more contemporary. These are, respectively, the Timeless Traditions and the Modern Masters series.

With the Modern Masters, we pay tribute to the individual pipe makers who, while no longer being with us, continue to define artisan pipe making as we know it. We selected some of the most influential designs from the late, great artisans of the post-war period and created homages to our personal favorites.

Shape 3 of the Modern Masters series is dedicated to one of the very first generation of Danish post-war greats: Emil Chonowitsch. While he did not ascend to quite the same heights as his son, Jess Chonowitsch, Emil was, nonetheless, one of the “founding fathers” of Danish pipe making as we know it. Along with Poul Rasmussen, Sixten Ivarsson, Peter Brakner, and Sven Knudsen, he was part of a milieu and a movement that all but began at a little workshop called Suhr’s Pibemageri. The Modern Masters shape 3 is loosely based on a group of shapes that were especially popular for the artisans at Suhr’s, and which Emil, Ivarsson, Rasmussen, and Knudsen each produced their own renditions of. While it is essentially a re-imagining of the traditional cutty, its organic, supple, floral shaping has led to it being described otherwise as a “tulip.” Though he was not the only pipe maker to bring such tulips to life, it is Emil’s versions that were the strongest influence on this one—hence why we’ve also taken to calling it the “Emily.”

The Modern Masters series is available in smooth and sandblasted finishes. From 2026 onward, MBSD Briars with exceptional graining are distinguished by one of two additional letter grades, both named in honor of our (Mitch & Sarah’s) children. These are the “K” for sandblasts, and the “E” for smooths.

Details:

Length: 6.2″ / 157.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.79 / 20.06mm

Bowl Depth: 1.80″ / 45.72mm

Weight: 1.1oz / 32g