OIRSCHOT
2025
The PIPE: BigBen
456x – a classic from the 1960s
This tobacco pipe is a beautiful example of artisanal craftsmanship and timeless design. The bowl, made from high-quality briar wood, consists of two funnel-shaped cylinders placed with their wide sides against each other. The upper part is subtly flattened, while the lower part flows seamlessly into the shank. At the junction of the two parts, two fine grooves have traditionally been applied — a refined detail characteristic of the classic Bulldog model. The true artistry lies in the transition from the rounded shapes of the bowl to the flat panels of the diamond-shaped shank, a transition that is executed smoothly and in perfect balance.
The briar wood bowls used for this pipe date from the period between 1955 and 1960. At the time, they were turned with great precision and then carefully stored and preserved for decades. Due to this long ‘maturation’, the wood has fully settled, become exceptionally stable, and has an almost fossilised feel — qualities that significantly enhance the pipe’s quality and durability. While crafting this pipe, we immediately noticed the benefits of this aged material, and we are convinced that it contributes to a rich and pleasant smoking experience.
In the spirit of Dutch tradition — inventive, rooted in the past, yet with a contemporary perspective — we have finished this pipe with a modern, high-gloss water-based lacquer in a deep green hue. This gives pipe smoking a modern look without losing its classic character.
The saddle-shaped mouthpiece is made from genuine ebonite, a material especially favoured by pipe makers in the last century for its durability and comfort. The transition between bowl and mouthpiece is marked by a double aluminium ring, with a 3 mm thick ring of green acrylic in between — a subtle but stylish nod to the modern finish of this unique pipe.
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