Emiliano Smooth Elf w/ Black Bamboo Handmade Briar Pipe, New

There are many nations in South America with vibrant pipe smoking scenes and, in recent years, these nations have produced a good number of artisan pipe makers of the highest caliber. Or, rather, it might be better to say that the internationalization of artisan pipes afforded by the internet has afforded these artisans the global recognition they rightly deserve. In any case, Brazil is among the most notable hubs for high-grade handmade pipes today, being home to Gustavo Cunha of marTelo pipes and Flavia Rodriguez, and having been the birthplace of Luiz Lavos. Of course, any mention of Brazilian pipes these days would be woefully incomplete without a mention of Emanuel de Queiroz Emiliano, better known in the pipe world as—simply—Emiliano. While Emanuel de Queiroz Emiliano produces renditions of many of the staples of Scandinavian pipe making, one of his own signature shapes is the “Elf,” seen here. As I’ve mentioned before, there are a few interesting points of reference when considering such a design. To my mind, the most apt comparisons would be to 1960s the famous “Dan Shape Reformed” shapes of the historic Danish Pibe-Dan (later known as Pipe Dan) workshop, and to the “Jatoba” shapes of Emiliano’s fellow Brazilian artisan Gustavo “marTelo” Cunha, which also have a Pibe-Dan tinge to them. Though there were a number of Dan Shape Reformed models, what they had in common was a backward “leaning” posture that allowed the bowl to remain upright when being clenched. Unlike Cunha’s Jatoba, however, which is rather bulbous and organic in its physique (being inspired by a native Brazilian fruit), Emiliano’s Elf is more svelte and compact, while also featuring a slightly elliptical bowl. One might instead consider it a hybrid of the Dan Shape Reformed and the “Nut” shapes of the late, great Bo Nordh. As was common with Nordh’s broad-faced shapes, such as the Nut, the Elephant’s Foot, and the Ballerina, Emiliano’s Elves are typically cut so as to “lead” with the full force of the briar’s natural bird’s-eye patterns, with its cross-grain “pushing” them along from each flank. This distinctly compact rendition, for example one wears a deep, reddish contrast finish to accentuate those patterns, paired with the similarly contrasting tones of a black bamboo shank extension.   Details: Length: 4.8″ / 121.9mm Bowl Width: 0.75″ / 19.05mm Bowl Depth: 1.35″ / 34.29mm Weight: 0.7oz / 20g