Thanks to an understanding wife and a huge amount of freelance, I was able to acquire some amazing pipes this month.
My next pipe up for review is by the incredibly talented Brian McNulty of Anima pipes. Brian has been making pipes for several years and learned quite a bit from master pipe artist, Paul Perri.
I contacted Brian a short while ago after I saw an incredibly beautiful volcano on his website. This pipe, was unfortunately sold, but I thought I'd ask if Brian could make a new pipe for me.
Since we both live in LA, Brian graciously invited me to his shop so we could discuss the pipe. This turned into an incredibly relaxing afternoon, where we chatted at length about design, pipes etc. Brian also introduced me to my first Latakia blend, C&D's Pirate Kake. If you know Pirate Kake, you know that this was less an "introduction" and more like an inititation! Man does it pack a punch!
Anyway, Brian chose a nice piece of briar and got to work. The fruits of his labor are below:
I received images of the rough cut of the pipe while I was in China. Even then, I could tell this would be an amazing pipe! At first, Brian referred to it as an "Eruption" as it appeared that the volcano had erupted and the lava was flowing out the back. I told him I thought it looked like and art deco train from the 30s and I called it a "Dec-ano". Whatever you call it, it's beautiful.
I didn't see the finished pipe until I walked into Brian's shop yesterday. It was so great to not only have the pipe presented to me by the artist who made it, but actually relax and have a smoke with him. Brian knows I like to smoke Virginia's and built the pipe accordingly. I loaded it up with Escudo and away we went.
As you can see from the images, except for a small blemish in the wood on the bottom, the pipe is perfect. Beautiful grain running around the bowl and tight birdseye on the heel and top of the shank.
The pipe is small and light. A pipe cleaner runs all the way to the bottom even with the curved, fancy stem. The draw is wide and it smokes wonderfully.
Brian also includes a matching tamper to go with any pipe you buy from him. Mine is made from the tip of an antler and matches the pipe perfectly.
I can't recommend Brian's work enough. He's a great guy and a great artist.
He told me he'd heard a rumor that people thought he wasn't making pipes any more. I'm happy to put that rumor to rest!
My next pipe up for review is by the incredibly talented Brian McNulty of Anima pipes. Brian has been making pipes for several years and learned quite a bit from master pipe artist, Paul Perri.
I contacted Brian a short while ago after I saw an incredibly beautiful volcano on his website. This pipe, was unfortunately sold, but I thought I'd ask if Brian could make a new pipe for me.
Since we both live in LA, Brian graciously invited me to his shop so we could discuss the pipe. This turned into an incredibly relaxing afternoon, where we chatted at length about design, pipes etc. Brian also introduced me to my first Latakia blend, C&D's Pirate Kake. If you know Pirate Kake, you know that this was less an "introduction" and more like an inititation! Man does it pack a punch!
Anyway, Brian chose a nice piece of briar and got to work. The fruits of his labor are below:
I received images of the rough cut of the pipe while I was in China. Even then, I could tell this would be an amazing pipe! At first, Brian referred to it as an "Eruption" as it appeared that the volcano had erupted and the lava was flowing out the back. I told him I thought it looked like and art deco train from the 30s and I called it a "Dec-ano". Whatever you call it, it's beautiful.
I didn't see the finished pipe until I walked into Brian's shop yesterday. It was so great to not only have the pipe presented to me by the artist who made it, but actually relax and have a smoke with him. Brian knows I like to smoke Virginia's and built the pipe accordingly. I loaded it up with Escudo and away we went.
As you can see from the images, except for a small blemish in the wood on the bottom, the pipe is perfect. Beautiful grain running around the bowl and tight birdseye on the heel and top of the shank.
The pipe is small and light. A pipe cleaner runs all the way to the bottom even with the curved, fancy stem. The draw is wide and it smokes wonderfully.
Brian also includes a matching tamper to go with any pipe you buy from him. Mine is made from the tip of an antler and matches the pipe perfectly.
I can't recommend Brian's work enough. He's a great guy and a great artist.
He told me he'd heard a rumor that people thought he wasn't making pipes any more. I'm happy to put that rumor to rest!
