Pipe Tristan Partially Rusticated Rhodesian w/ Durat Estate Briar Pipe, French Estates

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 the 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.

Over the past few years, Tristan Lefebvre has shown a real proclivity toward bulldog and Rhodesian shapes, and a great variety of them too. From the “BoDogs” Bo Nordh and Geiger, to the Dunhill O and the GBD 9438, Lefebvre has proved himself more than capable of producing high-grade homages, while also creating plenty of more unique designs. This one, which I believe was made in 2024 or ’25, is an example of the latter. While there are affinities between it and the famously squat and broad Dunhill shapes, it is also far more contemporary, with its long, flaring shank and mouthpiece, mineral-like Finnish Durat accent, and mixed finish, pairing Lefebvre’s signature Granite rustication with a crisp, tan sandblast.

The condition is great. Very minor rim darkening.

Details:

Length: 6.1″ / 154.9mm

Bowl Width: 0.77 / 19.55mm

Bowl Depth: 1.28″ / 32.51mm

Weight: 1.4oz / 42g