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Brands

Lee von Erck

Tier:

Affordable	Mid-grade	Elevated	High-grade	Top
		X

Maker's own website: http://www.von-erck.com/

Country: USA

Price: € 250+ (less for some older pieces)

Production method:

Factory	Machine-assisted	Freehand
		X

Notes: Von Erck's pipes have been described as the "most American" of all. They are usually rather long and slender, but smaller pieces are not unknown (especially on the Japanese market).

Though Lee has been in the business for a long time and is no aspiring youngster, experts say that he has improved noticeably over the past two years. He is proud of his oil-curing method, and a fairly recently developed sandblasting technique has produced the much admired honey-comb-like finish he calls "Morel".

Comments: In my opinion, Lee von Erck deserves more international recognition and should be classed as a global high-grader. (The pipe shown on the left may not be his most elegant, but it smokes like a dream and hints at the style elements which make Ercks unique.) In a sense, he is an example of unequal opportunities in the pipe world - a German or Dane with Lee's measure of individuality would probably be world famous.

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