german

Jan Harry #6220024

I don't know much about Jan Henry, although I met him once
and his brother, Oliver Seifert, a number of times. They come
by their interest in pipes the old fashioned way, as their father's
business was wholesaling pipes and accessories in Germany, a
business which Oliver inherited. Somewhere along the way,
Jan started making pipes and developed a nice reputation, at
least in Germany. On the opposite side of this sandblasted
bowl is a fairly deep pit, which has been honestly left as is, and
not filled as most every single pipe maker on the planet would.

5 5/8" long, bowl 1 7/8" high. Weight: 1.86 oz., 52.8 grams. New
Price: $95

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

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

Pipe
Categories:

Frank Axmacher Cobra 10271024

The pipe takes advantage of the fine briar, accentuating the
marvelous Bird's Eye grain that covers the entire length of the
pipe, but which, due to my inanity was not photographed. If I
can remember, I'll have that done at the next opportunity.

6 1/2" long. Weight: 3 3/8 oz., 95 grams. New. Price: $450

Wolfgang Becker Wolfs Paw #5102831 (SOLD 6/15/08)

A stellar version of the asymmetrical style that has made
Wolfgang's pipes one of the most sought after. The shank trim
is boxwood. The draw is open, the stem hand cut to be as
comfortable as can be. New. Price: $1040
5.3" long, bowl 1.8" high. Weight: 2 3/8 oz., 67 grams.

Wolfgang Becker Grade F #5102856

Another classic Wolfgang. Perhaps, just as Bo Nordh only
made a few pipe shapes, and perfected them, so it is with
Wolfgang, who is constantly refining his shapes, his technique
and his focus. New. Price: $720
5.2" long, bowl 1.7" high. Weight: 2 1/8 oz., 59 grams

Cornelius Maenz Grade B #5102818

That I am now able to bring to you Cornelius Maenz pipes is a
source of great satisfaction and pleasure for me, and I hope for
you too. I seem to be lucky with the German pipe makers, as I
can not imagine presenting a finer line of pipes than Wolfgang
Becker, Jurgen Moritz, Frank Axmacher and now Cornelius. As
the highly regarded Belgian pipe authority, Erwin Van Hove
suggested in his superb article on Axel Reichert in the latest
edition of " Pipes & Tobaccos" magazine, the next new
development in style, form and function seems to be coming
from this generation of German pipe makers. I have to agree.
I met Cornelius and his equally ebullient wife, Anya, at this
year's Chicago show. I do hope our relationship continues for
both his pipes and his good company. He's a delightful young
man, which makes any business arrangement so much more
pleasant. Actually, besides their pipes, Wolfgang, Jurgen,
Frank & Cornelius are just superb citizens. It's an honor to
know them. As for this pipe, here it is: A wide open draw, a thin,
comfortable hand-cut stem and a good sized chamber. New.
5" long, bowl 1.65" high. Weight: 2.75 oz., 77 gr. Price: $750

Cornelius Maenz Grade BC #5102820

This may be another of the Blowfish shaped pipes that are so
popular today. And I certainly should have had both sides
shot, and I apologize for that. It's usually not necessary on
sandblasted pipes, but this shape is different enough so that
your viewing pleasure would be enhanced by both sides. What
can I say, the other side is horrendously ugly, having been
carved to resemble the face of Lon Chaney when he was
playing the Hunchback of Notre Dame. The draw is wide open
and the stem thin & comfortable. New. Price: $550
5.18" long, bowl 2.3" high. Weight: 2 3/8 oz., 68 grams.

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 sligh concave curve. It still sits up. It is as well
proportioned as it looks. New. Price: $540
5.6" long, bowl 1.98" high. Weight: 1 5/8 oz., 45 grams.

Jurgen Moritz #5102810

As I put up the pipes on this page, I'm realizing, despite the late
hour, that I'm having an awful lot of fun with them. It's great to
be able to take the time to look at them carefully, which I
couldn't really do during the hurly burly of the Chicago show.
Being able to evaluate the transition from the bamboo shank, to
the smooth hip to the sandblasted bowl allows me to appreciate
the craft and creativity that went into making this pipe. It's also
nice to report that the draw is wide open and the stem hand cut
with a bit more detail than originally meets the eye. It's going to
be a long term pleasure, I'm pretty sure, watching Jurgen slowly
develop into a truly great pipe maker, with a unique, subtle,
personal style. And just so you know, there are little lines on
the top of the bamboo that are just a natural part of the wood.
There is no chance of them developing into a problem. If that
should happen, of course we would replace the pipe. New. $350
6.2" long, bowl 1.6" high. Weight: 2 1/8 oz., 60 grams.

Frank Axmacher Grade B #5102790

I place this pipe here, just to see it for the comparison, and
contrast, to the Jurgen pipe. Heck, if you like the Tomato
shape, and they are great to hold in your hand from the top
down, get 'em both. This one is also created with an open draw
and fine hand-cut stem. New. Price: $405
6.65" long, bowl 1.5" high. Weight: 1.75 oz., 51 grams.

Jurgen Moritz #5102812

I wanted to buy this pipe from Jurgen, but felt that it might be a
bit high, considering the grain pattern, so I started yelling at him
to lower the price, and he did. I think I intimidated him. (If you
knew Jurgen, and saw him, about 6'5", 315 lbs, you would
understand how absurd it is to think that all 5'5" of me could
possibly intimidate him. He is, however, an extremely sweet,
gentle man and might even accept my yelling at him, until he
got tired of it and slapped me one good one.) Well, now that I
have this home, and can take a closer look at the pipe, I'm a
little ashamed because the grain pattern is just fine. In the
lower photo, you can see a side full of Bird's Eye. On the other
side, the pattern doesn't show so well, but it is quite interesting
and not at all disappointing. Further, this has either a very
satisfying stain color, or great patina, or both. Further, there
are many subtle carving details that aren't visible in photos.
As is standard with Jurgen's pipes, the air hole is wide open
and the stem is hand cut and thin and comfortable. New. $580
6.3" long, bowl 2.1" high. Weight: 2.25 oz., 64 grams.

Frank Axmacher #5102793

Looking at the rectangular shank treatment that Frank
employed on this pipe, I think he picked up on the style that
would work best with this Elephant's Foot bowl shape. I'm not
sure I've seen that before, and it looks right. The front of the
pipe is thick with nothing but Bird's Eye grain and Frank nailed
the cross grain on both of the sides of the pipe. Considering
the quality of the work, it is well underpriced. New. Price: $600
5.6" long, bowl 2.7" high. Weight: 2 3/8 oz., 69 grams.

Jurgen Moritz #5102814

this is Jurgen's version of the Stubby style. The stubby is
visually appealing to me, but I think I like this translation better
than the Billiard shaped bowl, which is so prevalent. Whichever
you prefer, you should know that this contains Jurgen's
signature open air draft and superb, flat custom stem-work.
4.8" long, bowl 1.8" high. Weight: 1.75 oz., 50 grams.
New. Price: $320

Frank Axmacher Grade C #5102789 (SOLD 7/21/08)

this is not a large pipe. If it is larger than the Jurgen Apple,
#2814, it is only marginally so. But that is not the reason I
place it just below Jurgen's pipe. Looking at these two pipes, I
have to wonder if the two pipe makers, who are friends and are
linked in my mind because I found them sitting next to each
other at last year's Chicago show, share black moods together,
also. Rather than contrast the black stain of their sandblasts
with a somewhat lighter ferrule, or shank extension, they
heighten that sense with dark colored bone adornments. I
don't think it's severe or anything, it's just fun to think of the
'why.' In case you can't see it in the photo, this has a Bulldog
bead around the bottom of the bowl. Everything about this pipe
is understated, but the all-important construction aspects are
just as you would hope them to be...wide open draft and
comfortable, hand-cut stem. New. Price: $360
4.9" long, bowl 1.85" high. Weight: 1.75 oz., 51 grams.

Frank Axmacher Grade B #5102796

Despite the severe angle of the stem to the bowl, this pipe
keeps faith with Frank's high standards of construction and has
a nice, open draw. Of course it sits up, at a tantalizing tilt, and
it has a very deep, ring grain. New. Price: $390
5" long, bowl 2" high. Weight: 2.25 oz., 61 grams.

Axmacher B Grade #5102815

For some inexplicable reason, this pipe has 'it.' It's certainly not
fancy, although the blast has a personal kind of character I like
to see in a sandblast. It just exudes the something that makes
me feel it will grow on its owner in shape, size and definitely the
quality of smoke it delivers. Having said that, I know it's just
guesswork on my part. But, I'm usually right. New. Price: $405
5.8" long, bowl 1.7" high. Weight: 2 oz., 54 grams.

Frank Axmacher Grade C #5102797

For those who like large bowled sharply sandblasted Billiards,
this is a very good candidate. Pretty much, the essential pipe
for everybody's arsenal. New. Price: $330
6" long, bowl 2.3" high. Weight: 1.5 oz., 44 grams.

Frank Axmacher #5102798 (RESERVED)

Beveled, contrasting smooth rim, long shank and chimney-like
bowl make for a large degree of elegance in this pipe. Of
course, it has a good, open draw and comfortable hand-cut
stem. New. Price: $330.
6.2" long, bowl 2.3" high. Weight: 1 7/8 oz., 52 grms.