Pipe Tristan Sandblasted Cutty Handmade Briar Pipe, France [SOLD OUT]

Description

Pipe Tristan is the name used by French artisan Tristan Lefebvre. Lefebvre is part of a new wave of up-and-coming hand made pipe carvers from the birthplace of briar, following in the footsteps of figures such as Alain Albuisson, Paul Lanier, and Pierre Morel Sr and Jr. Lefebvre credits a wide range of influences upon his pipe-making, such as modern greats from Italy and Denmark, such as Carlo Scotti’s Castello and Tom Eltang, as well as more unique sources of inspiration, such as the centuries-old hunting pipes native to Germany’s 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.

I first encountered Pipe Tristan a few years ago when his pipes were first beginning to generate significant international attention. In the time since, Tristan has only become more renowned, with the sheer demand for his pipes allowing them to more than double in price. For this pipe, Lefebvre seem to be returning to his roots, no pun intended. It is the Pipe Tristan take on the traditional English-French cutty shape, but with a slightly modern twist. While the cutty, being descended from the clay tavern pipe, traditionally has a flat ‘foot’ just before the base of the bowl, Lefebvre has decided to swap out that design element for a conical section at the bottom of the bowl, giving the pipe more of an organic appearance. It’s a little like Gert Holbek’s ‘Osric’ shape for Pibe-Dan, though I would say the Tristan shape is something unto its own.

The shape is complemented by its brown, light sandblast, as well as a ring of polished briar inlaid in the ebonite stem. Together, these elements make for a wonderfully lightweight smoker, being just 34 grams in total. This one will clench perfectly, I guarantee.

Details:

Length: 6″

Bowl Width: 19.9mm

Bowl Depth: 1.55″

Weight: 1.1oz / 34g