Qi Studio Contrast Sandblasted Apple with Ivorite (New)

Qi Studio is a small workshop based in China, led by master craftsman Guobin Qi. Qi himself is an interesting figure in contemporary artisan pipe making; he was one of the last apprentices of the legendary Danish artisan Hans “Former” Nielsen (who is, thankfully, still alive and making pipes, but no longer teaching), and would become a close collaborator with Former both on joint projects and on the latter’s own pipes. For example, Qi Studio played an integral role in realizing Former’s 60th Anniversary pipes, and, in turn, Former has designed pipes that were made for Qi’s Yandouke series. Former is not the only Danish pipe maker to have forged ties with Qi, either. For over a decade, Qi has studied and collaborated with many a living great, including Anne Julie, Lars Ivarsson, and Kurt Balleby.

Today, Qi Studio is comprised of Guobin Qi and four other artisans, each of which must complete two years of rigorous training before they are trusted with making the workshop’s pipes. In addition to mastering the techniques required for crafting high-end smoking instruments, Qi Studio’s artisans have built up a veritable library of pipes and materials from Scandinavia’s old workshops and factories, which they pore over like classicists do an ancient text.

We picked up this latest batch of pipes after meeting with the Qi Studio carvers at this year’s Columbus Pipe Show, and I was quite excited to bring them to the shop and to see what our customers made of them. As one might expect, they exhibit a strong Danish influence, though there’s also a decidedly contemporary approach to finishing and ornamentation at work in each of them.

In the case of this one, the influence from Qi’s first mentor is quite palpable. After all, Former’s so fond of apple shapes that he’s made them his signature. Qi Studio’s approach to the apple is, like Former’s, a good balance of practical and aesthetic concerns, being compact, lightweight, distinctly plump, and beautifully finished.

Details:

Length: 4.9″ / 124.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.79 / 20.06mm

Bowl Depth: 1.48″ / 37.59mm

Weight: 1.9oz / 56g