Elliott Nachwalter (Pipeworks) Bent Egg (My Jaw Hanger)

[pitchfork]

I won this pipe a while back but have just now been able to post pics (which are all that matters, right?).
It's by Elliott Nachwalter from the 1980s when he owned Pipeworks in NYC. It's a straight-grain pipe, but the grain runs horizontal along the sides with a field of birdseye on the heel and front of the bowl.

 

[peckinpahhombre]

Wow, gorgeous grain on that one

 

[pitchfork]

Thanks, Peck. I'm more of a Nachwalter collector than a grain hound, but my straight-grain pipes by him are definitely some of my favorites.

 

[bentmike]

Beautiful pipe! I like the uniform consistency of the grain pattern.

 

[pruss]

Pitch that's a lovely pipe. I agree with peck about the grain; it's wonderful.
I have Nachtwalter on my list for future PAD, and am constantly looking for his pipes on auction sites. Still haven't found the right pipe for the right price. But I'm loving the search.
Congrats man.
-- Pat

 

[pitchfork]

Many thanks, guys.
Pruss, if you're in the market for Nachwalter's pipes, I would always check with the seller about fills. Some have some pretty serious and ugly use of putty -- most of these are from the Coral Springs, FL years (c. '79-'80), but many are from the Pipeworks period.
Generally speaking, some of the best pipes are the Briar Workshop pipes from the mid to late 70s (Stowe, VT), when Jim Cooke, Brad Pohlmann and Finn Meyan Anderson worked with him.
However, the best Nachwalter pipes are the ones he made on his own after moving back to Vermont around 1990 -- these are marked "Elliott Nachwalter/ Made by Hand Vermont USA." These almost never have fills and usually have high-quality, very comfortable Ebonite or Cumberland stems (alas, these are usually the most expensive and hard to find).

 

[pruss]

Thanks for the tips Pitchfork. Much appreciated. It's nice to be a more informed buyer!
-- Pat

 

[petes03]

Absolutely beautiful!

 

[pitchfork]

Thanks, Roth.

Many of these pipes had a certain svelte masculinity which I often find rather unique.

I think "svelte masculinity" captures it perfectly. Well said.

 

[numbersix]

Big congrats to you pitch - that is stunning!

 

[saltedplug]

One of the great things about cross grain is that in addition to being unique, it also comes with birdseye. Very nice!

 

[easygoer]

Beautiful pipe. I decided to buy two Nachwalter's after your post. Thank you for showing.
http://pulversbriar.com/images/DSC0004912.JPG

http://assets.smokingpipes.com/images/products-hr/004-009-5551.jpg

 

[pitchfork]

Thanks, easygoer. Congrats on your two Nachwalters. That one from Marty should be an effortless jaw hanger -- with a snazzy shape to boot (I shied away from it because of the small fill). And the one from smokingpipes should be a great pipe -- thick bowl, clean grain, and a comfortable stem -- a winner for sure.

 

[papipeguy]

Very elegant and classic lines. That grain is to die for. Enjoy.

 

[cigrmaster]

pitch, I don't know how I missed this thread. That pipe is gorgeous, excellent cross grain and real pretty birdseye. Congrats on your new pipe, I hope it smokes great for you. I need to start looking at his work more, he does belong in my American collection. How are his stems, are they comfortable for clenching?

 

[pitchfork]

Thanks, papipeguy.
Thanks, Harris. Sorry you missed this thread before. Even though it's the "wrong" way to do cross-grain (birdseye on the front rather than the sides), I think it came out pretty nice in this instance.
If you're looking for one of his pipes, and I have a good idea what you like in a pipe, I think you'd be most happy with his post-1990 solo efforts. They have great briar with cumberland or ebonite stems that I find very, very comfortable. The airways vary a bit, though -- and I don't think he's as much a stickler for engineering as Rad Davis, for example. In any case, if it's a good looking pipe I don't think you'll have any trouble selling it if it doesn't meet expectations.

 

[pitchfork]

Harris, here's a few shots of the stems on my "Elliott Nachwalter" pipes (i.e., not Pipeworks or Briar Workshop):

 

[ssjones]

Wow, that new one is stunning!

 

[dennisfbird]

one word........... GORGEOUS !

 

[pitchfork]

Thanks, guys. Much appreciated.
That first pipe pictured above (the dublin) is far and away my best VA smoker -- FVF is always a good smoke, never fussy. The chamber is slightly conical -- shaped almost exactly like the outer two knuckles on my index finger. If I were to commission another pipe for VAs, I'd ask the maker to approximate that chamber shape.