Pipe Tristan Natural Granite XL Rusticated Liverpool Handmade Briar Pipe, New

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. In fact, in 2025, he was inducted into Confrérie des Maîtres Pipiers de Saint-Claude, a prestigious French association of master pipe makers whose ranks have included Albuisson, Lanier, and Morel the younger.

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 Liverpool by Tristan Lefebvre is an example of his Natural Granite in action. Despite its great length and capacious chamber, it remains a mere 40 grams, which is one testament to the quality of the briar used. Along with the pipe’s hand-cut cumberland stem (which will complement the bowl even more so once it begins to color), Lefebvre has chosen to leave the rim of the pipe in its most natural state, i.e., as bare plateaux burl, adding a multi-textured layer to the overall design.

 

Details:

Length: 6.4″ / 162.5mm

Bowl Width: 0.87 / 22.09mm

Bowl Depth: 1.91″ / 48.51mm

Weight: 1.4oz / 40g