Nording Fantasy Partially Rusticated Freehand Estate Briar Pipe, Unsmoked

Nørding was founded by Erik Nørding in the 1960s, and is one of the oldest remaining companies to come out of the Scandinavian pipe making renaissance that began in the mid-20th century. Now in his 80s, Erik Nørding is one of the most experienced and skilled pipe makers in the world, and over the decades he has also been a teacher of other Danish masters, such as Poul Ilsted, Svend Axel Celius, Jens Tao Nielsen, Peder Jeppesen, and Søren Erik Andersen. Freehand pipes are generally known for their rugged, naturalistic aesthetic, and this one—along with a few others that recently came through—is no different. I think it’s from the Fantasy Freehand line, which goes a step beyond even the gnarliest Preben Holms, Sorens, and even Nordings of old through the use of a vermiculated rustication, though it is a little larger than I’m used to those being. Like the Fantasy, however, the finish is similarly earthy and jagged, which both adds depth to the design while making the raised, smooth parts of the bowl, along with their fiery grain and contrast stain, stand out even more. This pipe is completely unsmoked, with an original bowl coating.   Details: Length: 6.1″ / 154.9mm Bowl Width: 0.80 / 20.32mm Bowl Depth: 1.79″ / 45.46mm Weight: 2.6oz / 76g