Peter Heeschen Grade A Smooth Apple w/ Bamboo Estate Briar Pipe, Unsmoked

Description

Peter Heeschen was one of the all time great Danish pipe makers of the late 20th and early 21st century. Heeschen’s father was a pipe maker who worked primarily with cherry wood, which provided an early impetus for him to experiment with making his own pipes. Heeschen did not immediately pursue a career in pipe making, however, and instead drifted in and out of the craft between other employments as a technician and a social worker. After being made redundant at the age of 53, Heeschen finally made his permanent home in the Danish high grades scene, creating pipes on a small farm near the city of Odense, Denmark. Heeschen passed away in 2015.

When encountering Peter Heeschen’s pipes, I’m always reminded of a few lines from Gregory Pease (better known as G.L. Pease), Heeschen’s good friend and, in his own words, “North American ambassador”:
“My only criticism about Peter’s pipes, and it’s not really a criticism, is that he doesn’t make very many large ones. This matters little to me, since I tend to prefer smaller pipes for the most part, but Heeschens smoke so damn well that I’m always a little sorry that the bowl is over. I suppose that would happen no matter how large they were, though.”

High praise indeed, especially given Pease’s station in the world of pipes. What more could one add? Regarding this one, it’s on the smaller side, just as Pease remarks, but still with enough volume in the chamber to prevent one from being hurried. On the other hand, these smaller proportions allow the pipe to be under an ounce in weight, meaning one could easily clench it and puff away on the go. The pipe is a grade “A,” used for especially well grained pipes (as can be seen quite plainly here), and which was only outclassed by  “S” grade pieces. Last, the bamboo shank extension is expertly applied, with its ebonite joints sculpted following the furrows of the plant, resulting in a seamless transition between the pipe’s constitutive materials.

This pipe is also completely unsmoked and goes with its original leather sleeve.

 

Details:

Length: 5.5″ / 139.7mm

Bowl Width: 0.75 / 19.05mm

Bowl Depth: 1.14″ / 28.95mm

Weight: 0.9oz / 26g