Methods & Grading

Methods

Making a pipe uses 2 simple components, a stummel and a stem. However, these two components come in many different forms.

Briar and Olive wood

  • I have a relationship with a briar mill in Italy where I source the vast majority of my wood. Occasionally other sources are used when I come across exceptional blocks. The olive wood I use comes from a similar mill just on the opposite side of the country.

Stem

  • 85% of the pipes I make feature ebonite stems, this is my preferred choice of stem material. The other 15% uses Lucite (acrylic) stems. Both the ebonite and lucite i use comes from the same manufacture based in Germany.

Bamboo

This section highlights the rare use of Bamboo within my pipes. Bamboo is a material which offers a whole new image to a pipe. Breaking up the typical lines with another organic material. Bamboo pipes come in both 9mm and non flirted form, however 9mm ones are a much greater challenge. An overall rare occurrence with my pipe making so be sure to grab one when you see it!

Grading

Each Jack Ryan Pipe is made to the same high standard as any other pipe that leaves the workshop regardless of the price and finish. However, very rarely a special grading is used. This grade is called ‘L Grade’.

The ‘L Grade’ pipes are the top 1% of production, they have to meet certain criteria which I set in order to achieve this classification. Some of this criteria is, stunning grain, perfectly shaped, great balance, preciously engineered and flawless execution to name just a few.

Despite all this, do not expect to see one often. To date, after making over 125 pipes, only 2 have been selected to be classified as ‘L Grade’