Pfeifenbox

Brands

Poul Ilsted

Tier:

Affordable	Mid-grade	Elevated	High-grade	Top
			X

Country: Denmark

Price: € 350+

Production method:

Factory	Machine-assisted	Freehand
		X

Notes: Ilsted is perhaps best known for his faceted pipes - a discipline in which he is unbeaten, having once made many Bulldogs. Reportedly, he now produces less than 180 pipes a year.

Note that the brand 'Tao and Ilsted' is a recent, affordable, pre-turned line, not to be confused with freehands by Ilsted or his friend Tao.

Tao and Ilsted have cooperated more than once - owning the brand Svendborg in the 1970s. With considerable luck, buyers of an old production Svendborg can get a pipe made by either of these two masters - but they are far more likely to acquire a less noble piece.

Comments: Very close to the top tier of carvers. In my own book, Ilsted is indeed among those chosen few. I have heard of slight inconsistencies - otherwise, I would rank him with Jess Chonowitsch.

Back...