Dave Neeb Smooth Prince Handmade Briar Pipe, New

Dave Neeb had been a pipe smoker for longer than many contemporary artisans have been alive before he too decided to pursue a vocation in pipes. After decades spent working as an attorney, Neeb finally had the time to fully invest himself in his favorite pastime. And invest he did: first, Neeb established himself as a pipe seller; then he learned the art of pipe restoration, which helped increase his sale inventory even more; and then, finally, under the mentorship of Lee Von Erck and Rad Davis, he started making pipes for himself. Soon enough, Neeb had become a major player in the estate pipe ecosystem and a well-regarded pipe maker in his own right. In more recent years, Neeb has stepped away from estates restoration and sales to concentrate solely on his own handmade briars—though he is known, on occasion, to collaborate on a pipe with his old mentor, Von Erck. Though Dave Neeb makes plenty of pipes in modern styles closely associated with artisan pipe making, his portfolio shows a marked fondness for apples, tomatoes, and princes—straight, squat shapes of a more understated nature. This one is an especially nicely grained example, with a lightness in both form and finish that reminds of the classic French briars of the early 20th century.   Details: Length: 6″ / 152.4mm Bowl Width: 0.81 / 20.57mm Bowl Depth: 1.34″ / 34.03mm Weight: 1.4oz / 42g