My favorite pipe is made by Nording. It is his Hunter series Bear. I first saw one at the Briary 3 years ago. It was love at first sight, but I didn't have the funds. At some point Bradley, the old Cajun, got wind of my desire for one and gifted me one. And then later gifted me another. I love the shape, the way they feel in the hand, the way they hang from the mouth and they smoke great. Bradley also steered me towards buying a pipe from Ryan Alden and so in Chicago last year I purchased my first. It is a beautiful bent Danish egg shape and as Bradley recommended a wonderful smoker especially for flakes. Having this success I commissioned a pipe from Ryan when I saw him at the New Orleans pipe show. I showed him the Bear and asked him to make me one. I told him that I wanted his take on this shape, but I would prefer a Cumberland stem and a light brown or red color. I also said I would like it to be smooth and have lots of Birdseye on the rim or bottom. The pipe came today and Ryan surpassed my expectations. The pipe is gorgeous and exactly what I had hoped for in every way. It is light, with smooth lines, and the button and slot work is some of the nicest I've seen. I smoked it this afternoon and the inaugural bowl was 12 year old Escudo. It was a perfect smoke, glorious draw, and the fresh bare briar was a nice sweet compliment for the aged Escudo. Now for the pics.
The bear is the top pipe, Alden on bottom.
The bear is the top pipe, Alden on bottom.