Who Knows This Maker?

[olewaylon]

I picked up a few freehands that are labeled Wathen Reflection. I found very little information about this guy. He has some really good looking pipes. Does anybody own any of his pipes?

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[papipeguy]

Made in the USA. It also appears that you may have one of his last pipes.
Wathen
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Kerry S. Wathen was a pipemaker who worked for a small pipe shop in south Kansas City called "The Briar Patch" in the 1970's. Tending to larger sized pipes his centerpiece was a huge briar calabash shape. When the Briar Patch closed he probably moved to Iowa where his pipes were available at David's Briar Shop in Des Moines (ca. 1977 - 1980/81).
Wathen 01.jpg
Wathen 02.jpg
Wathen2.jpg
Wathen 03.jpg
Wathen was having some problems with his hands at that time and was finally forced to give up his talented carving.
He usually inscribed his pipes with his name and two digits for the year of production like "Wathen '75". The best pieces were named "Reflection".
Kerry S. Wathen, Sr. passed away on April 1, 1985 in his hometown of Topeka, Kansas. (Submitted by William J. Franqui Sr., Kerry S. Wathen's brother-in-law).

 

[olewaylon]

Thanks Papi, all of them I received are part I the reflection series. And I'm quite fond of this calabash style pipe I received. I'd be interested to hear from someone else who has one in their collection.

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[northernneil]

Those are two gorgeous pipes. Don't know anything about the maker, but I really like the style.

 

[papipeguy]

You are a lucky man. Enjoy those.

 

[zack24]

He was ahead of his time on the Calabash...very nice!

 

[condorlover1]

Thats a lovely calabash

 

[kanaka95]

Boy from what I've read they sound like a rare piece.They really are nice pipes.Enjoy.

 

[toby67]

his pipes that bear the "Reflection" label are his best work, otherwise they just bear his name and year of production.
Are they all used or unsmoked.

 

[gregprince]

You have a couple of beautiful pipes there. Sounds like they're historically significant as well. Enjoy them.

 

[toby67]

Apparently his pipes are excellent smokers. ::

 

[andystewart]

You're a lucky fella - those are stunning. Are they smoked or virgin?
Andy

 

[huntertrw]

Dovetailing on what papipeguy posted above, according to the citation in Jose Manuel Lopes' book titled "Pipes - Artisans and Trademarks" Wathen is a, "North American brand of the artisan Kerry S. Wathen. In the 1970s, he produced free form (sic) and exotic pipes which he sold to the Tinder Box chain, and also worked for the tobacconist's (sic) Briar Patch, Kansas City. Stamp "Wathen"."

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

That's like the mother of all freehands right there. I love it!

 

[mso489]

That freehand is a major piece of briar, beautifully worked, with plateau that goes to the moon.

Most impressive. Not a clencher, but a master work of its kind.

 

[toby67]

I'm still trying to add a Wathen to my collection.. Been trying awhile but keep getting outbidded

 

[mephistopheles]

The first one is my favorite as well, but they are both beautiful pipes.

 

[andycross]

I Have a 1979 #003 Wathen Reflection pipe in mint condition and unsmoked

 

[paulwilsonkc]

Hey, I just joined this group after seeing your post. Kerry Wathen was a Kansas City pipe carver.

I have 8 or 10 of his pipes. He was close friends with Lyn Byer who owns Cigar & Tabac in Overland Park, a suburb of KC.

He died a number of years ago under questionable circumstances. I'd be glad to talk to you about it more. I'll post some pictures of mine!

 

[bluegrassbrian]

REALLY like that calabash.