Jess Chonowitsch: Sandblasted Bent Brandy Tobacco Pipe

Jess Chonowitsch is a living legend in the world of pipes and was one of Sixten Ivarsson's four direct pupils, learning his craft alongside renowned carvers Jørn Micke, Bo Nordh, and, of course, Sixten's son Lars. Jess began working on pipes in the 1960s in Poul Rasmussen's workshop, later working at the famed W.Ø. Larsen pipe factory and at Sixten's workshop, the man who pioneered artisan pipe making with his "shape first, drill second" approach. Fast forward several decades, and Jess has mastered the craft and built a devoted worldwide following, both of pipe smokers who collect his work and younger pipe makers who seek to learn from it.

When I think of a Jess Chonowitsch bent Brandy, this signature rendition is the shape that comes to mind. A plump, well rounded heel flows effortlessly into the upward taper of the bowl, while discrete cheeking at the transition exudes a favored Danish design choice. The shank is round and a bit muscular, tapering gently as it reaches for the base of a vulcanite stem. The mouthpiece is hand-cut and detailed with unmatched precision, just as is the fit and finish inside and out for the entire piece. It's wearing a dark ruby stain over a rippling sandblast, aptly accentuating tight stacks of ring grain climbing the bowl without forming a distraction.