Pipe Tristan Natural Granite Army Mount Billiard Handmade Briar Pipe, Unsmoked

Description

I used to say that Pipe Tristan’s Tristan Lefebvre was part of a “new wave” of “up-and-coming” artisans from France, the very birthplace of the briar pipe. But that description doesn’t do him justice these days. Lefebvre isn’t so much a “part” of the latest generation of French artisans as the craftsman leading the charge; likewise, he is no longer “up-and-coming,” but has already secured himself a place alongside historic compatriots such as Alain Albuisson, Paul Lanier, and Pierre Morel Sr and Jr. Lefebvre does still, however, credit the same major influences upon his pipe-making. These include as modern greats from Italy and Denmark like Castello and Tom Eltang, as well as more unique sources of inspiration, such as the centuries-old hunting pipes native to Germany’s southern Bavarian region. As such, Tristan is equally at home crafting his own spin on the ’55,’ the hawbill, or the Danish Dublin, as he is reviving the Ulmer Kloben – when he isn’t inventing his own shapes, that is.

As with natural smooth and sandblast finishes, rusticated pipes require very good briar if they are to receive a near-naked finish. This is why, for example, the Punto Oro Corallo by Savinelli, the Natural Vergin Castello, and the Rind Pure by Radice, are produced in comparatively fewer numbers than their non-naked counterparts in their respective portfolios (and are, consequently, also sold at a premium). Even rusticated stummels cannot hide the various, cosmetic imperfections of organic growth. Tristan Lefebvre also produces far fewer natural-finished pipes than he does others, having exacting standards for a briar block to receive such treatments. The Natural Granite follows the same principles of the Punto Oro Corallo and its Italian cousins, being made of superior, well-seasoned briar, which will, over time, take on a golden patina. This army mount billiard iteration features a sterling silver mount turned by Tristan himself, along with a hand-cut cumberland stem that will complement the overall design even more as the aforementioned patina develops.

Details:

Length: 6.2″ / 157.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.77 / 19.55mm

Bowl Depth: 1.65″ / 41.91mm

Weight: 1.4oz / 40g