Randy Wiley Traditional Partially Rusticated Dublin (Estate)

Beginning his career as a pipe maker in the 1970s, Randy Wiley was a key figure in the new wave of American artisans in the late-20th century pipe scene—and still is today, five decades later. Though he does make some “traditional” pieces, he is, arguably America’s greatest living carver of “freehand” pipes, comparable to Denmark’s Preben Holm or Erik Nørding in their prime. And, like Holm and Nørding, Wiley has an array of signature finishes at his disposal, resulting in designs that occasionally border on the figural.

Though Wiley’s pipes are typically freehands in the modern sense of the term, his portfolio does include more traditional shapes from time to time. Helpfully enough, these pipes fall under the Traditional series, through which Wiley channels the Anglo-French style while still maintaining a healthy amount of modern American ruggedness. This one is a beautifully grained Dublin-lumberman hybrid, and pairs a golden brown finish with a similarly golden acrylic mouthpiece.

The condition is very good. Some rim darkening, slight finish fading, and some small scratches on the bowl.

Details:

Length: 5.29″ / 134.3mm

Chamber Width: 0.87″ / 22.09mm

Chamber Depth: 1.63″ / 41.40mm

Bowl Height: 1.74″ / 44.19mm

Weight: 2.0oz / 56g