Over the years I've picked up 3 Senlar pipes, a brand I rarely see mentioned.
From pipedia.org:
"Senlar - Pipes were made in Minnesota by pipe maker Wally Larsen who inverted his last name LAR SEN to come up with SEN LAR. The Saint Paul Pioneer Press nicknamed Larsen "The Great Dane Of The Pipe World" in 1973. Larsen's pipes were made in the basement of his Minnetonka home, with pipes selling in 1973 for as much as $75. Larsen learned the pipe making craft in the 1940's when an established pipe maker moved into the home next door. After observing this craftsman work for three years Larsen decided to make a pipe for himself. That first pipe got him some attention from fellow smokers and he sold his next nine before being able to keep another for himself.
Senlar pipes were apparently primarally sold in only three shops, St. Marie's and the Tobak Shop in St. Paul, and Tobaccoland in Rosedale. Larsen expressed difficulty keeping up with the demand of just these three outlets.
Larsen sought to make Senlar pipes "Look like a tree." Which he accomplished by using a whirling drill to carve a distinctive bark like finish on the pipe. It is a finish seen on most Senlars and Larsen regarded it as a sort of trademark.
He died in approximately 1988."
They are indeed quite unique but are really well constructed from good briar & all 3 are great smokers. They all have the unique Senlar logo stamped on the shank. All 3 are from the Senlar "Garnet" line. I don't know why the line is named "Garnet".
Here are the 3 I have - a large Bulldog, a Pot, & an Acorn.
From pipedia.org:
"Senlar - Pipes were made in Minnesota by pipe maker Wally Larsen who inverted his last name LAR SEN to come up with SEN LAR. The Saint Paul Pioneer Press nicknamed Larsen "The Great Dane Of The Pipe World" in 1973. Larsen's pipes were made in the basement of his Minnetonka home, with pipes selling in 1973 for as much as $75. Larsen learned the pipe making craft in the 1940's when an established pipe maker moved into the home next door. After observing this craftsman work for three years Larsen decided to make a pipe for himself. That first pipe got him some attention from fellow smokers and he sold his next nine before being able to keep another for himself.
Senlar pipes were apparently primarally sold in only three shops, St. Marie's and the Tobak Shop in St. Paul, and Tobaccoland in Rosedale. Larsen expressed difficulty keeping up with the demand of just these three outlets.
Larsen sought to make Senlar pipes "Look like a tree." Which he accomplished by using a whirling drill to carve a distinctive bark like finish on the pipe. It is a finish seen on most Senlars and Larsen regarded it as a sort of trademark.
He died in approximately 1988."
They are indeed quite unique but are really well constructed from good briar & all 3 are great smokers. They all have the unique Senlar logo stamped on the shank. All 3 are from the Senlar "Garnet" line. I don't know why the line is named "Garnet".
Here are the 3 I have - a large Bulldog, a Pot, & an Acorn.
