I’ve been on something of a Danish pipe craze of late, departing the Irish shores and all things Peterson. In that vein I recently picked up two wonderful “Danish” pieces and thought I’d combine them in a single post as they share a common heritage and namesake yet couldn’t be more different. They’re also the first of what I hope to be many more pipes by these two makers.
The first is a brandy by Erik Nielsen. Perhaps not as well-known as some of the more prolific members of clan Nielsen, Erik nevertheless turns out a fabulous pipe. He studied under another great Dane, Kurt Balleby, and obviously learned his lessons well. Sadly the photos couldn’t capture the grain’s subtle shade gradations and contrasts achieved by Erik’s staining technique which is simply gorgeous. And those nice thick walls at the bottom of the bowl where heat generation is at its greatest make for a very cool and dry smoke. A great pipe at a very reasonable price as Danish handmades go.
Have you ever come across a pipe that literally screams your name and you’re absolutely powerless in resisting temptation? Well that’s what happened when I saw this amazing Tonni Nielsen creation. The shape just blew me away and conveys every design and stylistic point I love in a pipe. Normally I’m not a great fan of black pipes; I much prefer either natural or a reddish-brown but for this particular shape and texture I think black was the perfect choice. There’s something very LOTR or wizardly about it; the kind of pipe you’d see Gandalf puffing on.
This one is still in the pipeline so I have no idea how it smokes but Tonni is an acknowledged master and one of the greats in the Danish pipemaking tradition so I have no worries. In the early 70’s he began making pipes for W Ø Larsen at age 16, having been mentored by Teddy Knudsen and Hans “Former” Nielsen among others. He came to the US in 1983 and currently resides in Kentucky. I’ve wanted one of his pipes for awhile now but sadly they don’t come cheap. But this was one of those times when desire overrides all restraint. My wallet may not be smiling but I sure am!
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(Images courtesy BriarBlues & TreasurePipes)
The first is a brandy by Erik Nielsen. Perhaps not as well-known as some of the more prolific members of clan Nielsen, Erik nevertheless turns out a fabulous pipe. He studied under another great Dane, Kurt Balleby, and obviously learned his lessons well. Sadly the photos couldn’t capture the grain’s subtle shade gradations and contrasts achieved by Erik’s staining technique which is simply gorgeous. And those nice thick walls at the bottom of the bowl where heat generation is at its greatest make for a very cool and dry smoke. A great pipe at a very reasonable price as Danish handmades go.
Have you ever come across a pipe that literally screams your name and you’re absolutely powerless in resisting temptation? Well that’s what happened when I saw this amazing Tonni Nielsen creation. The shape just blew me away and conveys every design and stylistic point I love in a pipe. Normally I’m not a great fan of black pipes; I much prefer either natural or a reddish-brown but for this particular shape and texture I think black was the perfect choice. There’s something very LOTR or wizardly about it; the kind of pipe you’d see Gandalf puffing on.
This one is still in the pipeline so I have no idea how it smokes but Tonni is an acknowledged master and one of the greats in the Danish pipemaking tradition so I have no worries. In the early 70’s he began making pipes for W Ø Larsen at age 16, having been mentored by Teddy Knudsen and Hans “Former” Nielsen among others. He came to the US in 1983 and currently resides in Kentucky. I’ve wanted one of his pipes for awhile now but sadly they don’t come cheap. But this was one of those times when desire overrides all restraint. My wallet may not be smiling but I sure am!
:
:
(Images courtesy BriarBlues & TreasurePipes)
