german

Pulvers' Prior Briar
P.O. Box 61146
Palo Alto, CA 94306

Phone/Fax:
(650) 965-7403
Email:
mpulvers@aol.com

Pipe
Categories:

Joura Infinity A #530036JJ

Just another example of purity of form. This is Karlo Joura's
metier. He is a pipe maker, and as much as he can sculpt in
briar, he refuses to let the creative process dictate what he
creates. Rather, he lets the function, the requirements of a
perfect smoking instrument, do the dictating. Very, very few
adhere to that rule today, getting swept up in trends and
popularity. If you knew Joura, you'd know he isn't easily swept.

5.5" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 2 oz., 55 grams. Price: $1320

Frank Axmacher Grade C #5102799

Pretty pipe, huh? What you can't see is that it is slightly
asymmetrical, with the right side (as you're holding the pipe)
effecting a slight concave curve. It still sits up. It is as well
proportioned as it looks. New. Price: $445
5.6" long, bowl 1.98" high. Weight: 1 5/8 oz., 45 grams.

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Rainer Barbi #1225059EM

this Barbi is graded BA, which I mention only because I think it's
a convenient way to make it look as though I'm doing my job of
describing the pipe. In fact, Barbi's grading system was not
only Byzantine, as if that weren't enough of a deterrent, but he,
by his own frequent admissions, graded pipes based on current
market forces and how much money he needed at a given time.
Well, I hate grading systems as I'm more than comfortable with
letting the pipe speak for itself. This one is new, and it says:
5.1" long, bowl 1.45" tall. Weight: 1 3/8 oz., 39 grams. $850.

Tom Richard for Chieftan's #1123087JJ

This is a new pipe and it's a model designed by Tom Richard, a
pipe maker that I'm fortunate to get pipes from as his small
production permits. Besides which both he and his wife are
exceedingly nice people. He's well recognized in Germany.
5.9" long, bowl 1.8" tall. Weight: 2 1/8 oz., 60 grams. $110.

R. Barbi for Chieftan's Highland #9130092 (SOLD 12/21/11)

This is a pipe Barbi designed as part of a series focused on
great German pipe makers. I believe other Barbi designed
pipes will be released later this year. The retail on this pipe is
$230, but I'm offering it at better than a 30% discount.
5.9" long, bowl 1.95" tall. Weight: 2 oz., 57 grams. Price: $160.

Moritz #5225388

From the long of it to the short of it. A true nose warmer. The
blast reveals a subtle, but quite true, ring grain from the top to
the bottom of the bowl. And it is not too short to enjoy the bowl.
4.15" long, bowl 1.3" high. Weight: 1 oz., 30 grams. New. $325

Joura A #1123107JH (SOLD 12/12/11)

Just another near-perfect specimen from Karlo Joura, who's
pipes, in my opinion, are the best current smokers in the planet
along with Ingo Garbe. I keep saying that, but some things bear
repeating. And as with so many of his pipes, the pipe is
beautifully sculpted. The condition is excellent and the draw
open. The bowl is probably a Grp. 5 in size...plenty large.
5.6" long, bowl 1.95" tall. Weight: 1 7/8 oz., 55 grams. $65

Wolfgang Becker Wolf Paw #12186512 (SOLD 12/20/11)

This is the largest of the recent arrivals, and it exhibits a flair for
stem design. The longer, thinner stem helps give a sleeker look to
one of Wolfgang's typically asymmetrical shapes. As always, the
construction and finish are superb. New. Price: $1185
5" long, bowl 2.15" high. Weight: 3 1/8 oz., 88 grams.

Rainer Barbi #6270031PC

What we have here is a piece of pipe history; this is the pipe
that appears in the book "Pfeifen" by Rolf Rutzen as
representative of Barbi's finer work, and was chosen by Rainer
as a pipe he wanted shown. The condition here is excellent,
with just a little black carbon showing on the rim. I'm sure it can
be easily removed, but 1) I ain't touching it, and b) why bother.
The pipe is very comfortable and meant to be smoked. For
those who can't tell a good pipe from a bad one, it is graded AA.
6" long, bowl 2.2" tall. Weight: 1 7/8 oz., 54 grams. Price: $750.

Bertram Safferling #1225049

Bertram produces about as few pipes a year as any full-time
pipe maker. It is his only job, yet he refuses to speed up
production with machines. I doubt that any pipe maker does
anywhere near as much hand work as does Bertram, although I
do believe Wolfgang Becker may do as much hand sanding.
6" long, bowl 2.15" tall. Weight: 2 5/8 oz., 76 oz. New. $450.

Joura Free Hand #1149523JJ (RESERVED)

You have no idea how difficult it was to get Joura to make
sandblasts for us. We begged, pleaded, cajoled and even
offered to have the stems done for him. Finally, he succumbed.
Here is one of them. Why he calls this grade "Free Hand"
(actually, it's written FreiHand, which is, of course, in German) I
have no idea. All of his pipes are made free hand, and he is
remarkably adept at it; I don't think you can believe the level of
his skill until you see him make a pipe.
5.35" long, bowl 1.65" tall. Weight: 1 3/4 oz., 50 grams. $880.

Barbi A1 #1149544JJ

Has this shape actually been named the Cobra or am I
deceiving myself? it is a little bit like the Elephant's Foot, but I
would save that description for a flatter front. Nonetheless, it's
a shape that shows off a lot of Bird's Eye at the front. This is a
large pipe with a deep bowl.
6.45" long, bowl 2.5" tall. Weight: 2.5 oz., 70 grams. $2450

Rainer Barbi #1123130JC (RESERVED)

There's a lot of Barbi in this pipe, most pointedly in the way the
bottom of the pipe has that boat-like bottom that comes to a
point. You can sort of see it best in the top photo. The
condition is excellent and the draw is wide open. Both the blast
and the stain are top notch. The red highlights under the black
stain are what Dunhill used to do...back when they were able.
This pipe can take, if you so choose, a 9 mm filter.
5.3" long, bowl 1.9" tall. Weight: 1.5 oz., 43 grams. $425.

Joura King #1149504

Long periods go by when the wood simply does not exist to
produce a King grade. The bonus on this is the shape and
style, making it a great pipe to hold and smoke. I would guess
most King's get put away as collectors. Still, that's very few.
5.35" long, bowl 1.8" tall. Weight: 2 oz., 58 grams. $7200

R. Wallenstein Chieftan Balance #913114 (RESERVED)

This might be one of the more conventional shapes designed
by Wallenstein. He just happens to be a very whimsical pipe
maker who loves having fun with the medium of briar. This
piece is new and can take a 9mm filter, if you so desire.
It's medium sized with a good capacity tobacco chamber.
5.4" long, bowl 1.8" tall. Weight: 2 oz., 57 grams. Price: $105.

Joura A #530040JJ

This pipe is a bit small; maybe a Grp. 3 in size, or more
accurately a 3.5. The bottom of the shank is flat, so yes the
pipe sits up, but more than that, it displays Bird's Eye grain
along its entire length. For those who like a narrow stem, this
one will win your heart with its comfort. After having just
returned from the Chicago show and looking at a lot of pipes by
a lot of pipe makers, I am more and more a Joura devotee.
5.2" long, bowl 1.85" tall. Weight: 1 5/8 oz., 45 grams. $880.

Wolfgang Becker Wolf's Paw #102804 (SOLD 12/20/11)

here is one of Wolfgang's little gems, with good cross grain and
Bird's Eye and his near-perfect construction as regards the
stem and the draw and the fit and finish. As small as it appears
to be, I can fit my forefinger into the bowl. It will provide a
decently long smoke, or for those preferring strong Virginia
Flakes, a smoke that won't leave you prone on your bed.
The ring is Boxwood.
4.75" long, bowl 1.5" tall. Weight: 1 1/8 oz., 31 grams. $750.

C. Manz for Rattray's #1123192JJ

Designed for Rattray's by Cornelius Manz, this pipe, as with
about 95% of all German made pipes, can take a 9mm filter. If
you simply ignore that aspect of the pipe, you'll be fine. I have
a Barbi that can take a 9mm filter and I always forget about that
aspect of the pipe until I start cleaning it. Notice the clean wood.
5.4" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 2 3/8 oz., 68 grams. Price: $195.

Rainer Barbi #6270278JJ

Two aspects of the master at work here. Perhaps most
importantly, we have what appears to be his porous, absorbent
Ligurian briar. I think this was Barbi's favorite wood. I often
heard him inveigh against the heavier, denser, but prettier
grained pieces from more southerly regions. Secondly, despite
the 3/4 bend, the pipe takes a cleaner to the bottom of the
bowl, with perhaps, a minimal twist of the cleaner. I'd call it a
Grp. 5 in size. It's certainly at least that large.
5" long, bowl 1.95" tall. Weight: 1 3/4 oz., 51 grams. $1135.

Rainer Barbi #6270267JJ (RESERVED)

A wide open draw and pipe that takes a cleaner straight
through to the bottom of the bowl (I gave it a little twist, but that
was it) is a fair representation of Barbi's work. The bottom of
the bowl shows nothing but Bird's Eye grain from the straight,
Ligurian grain that surrounds the bowl. There's a subtle stone
trim and a marvelously flat, comfortable stem.
6.1" long, bowl 2" tall. Weight: 1 7/8 oz., 54 grams. Price: $2080

Rainer Barbi #6270262JJ

I don't know if Barbi would have called this a Blowfish bowl, but
it certainly contains elements of that shape. The pipe is much
more comfortable in the hand than the majority of Blowfish
pipes I've held and the stain is a bit darker than it shows here.
Not much, but a bit more towards the walnut. It's also pretty
large, with the bowl able to accomodate my thumb. The trim is
bone. I don't think Barbi would use plastic. I've never seen it.
5.85" long, bowl 1.9" tall. Weight: 2 oz., 55 grams. Price: $1130

Rainer Barbi #6270253JJ

If you look carefully at the top picture, you'll be able to discern
that the bowl is nearly flat over the shank, making this a tricorn.
The pipe has a delicate, refined feel. Looking at the data, I can
see that it's quite light. In size, it's approx. a Grp. 4 and the
draw is wide open. Again, the wood appears to be the very
hygroscopic, absorbent Ligurian briar, Barbi's favorite.
5.4" long, bowl 1.75" tall. Weight: 1 1/4 oz., 37 grams. $1135.

Reiner Thilo for Chieftan's #1123072JJ (RESERVED)

Reiner Thilo is much better recognized as a pipe carver and
stylist in his home country of Germany than he is here. My
guess is that a lot of that is becaue of small production
numbers. This design is distributed by Otto Kopp, the most
important of the German tobacco wholesalers. it's a new pipe
and as you can see, the wood is barely stained and is hiding no
flaws. The pipe is German and can take a 9mm filter.
5.5" long, bowl 1.9" tall. Weight: 2 3/8 oz., 69 grams. $135.

Chieftan's One Finger #9130111 (RESERVED)

The "one finger" in the title might refer to the fact that when you
hold this pipe in your hand, a thumb comfortable fits into that
groove. The style is avant garde and the condition is 'new.' I'd
guess it was designed by Roger Wallenstein, but it doesn't
have his name on, but it is from the people that made that
series of pipes. Retail on this pipe is normally $160.
5" long, bowl 2.45" tall. Weight: 2 3/8 oz., 69 grams. $95.

C. Manz for Rattray's #913119

One of the designer pipes made for a series honoring the great
German pipe makers. The pipe is new and can take a 9mm
filter is the smoker so desires, although i can't imagine why
anyone would want to do that to the draw of a good pipe.
the bowl here is large, but the shape and thick walls keep the
tobacco chamber from being overly large.
5.4" long, bowl 2.1" tall. Weight: 2 7/8 oz., 57 grams. $175.