Pfeifenbox

Brands

Jobert

Tier:

Affordable	Mid-grade	Elevated	High-grade	Top
X

Maker's own website:http://www.jobertpipes.co.za

Country: South Africa

Price: € 50+

Production method:

Factory	Machine-assisted	Freehand
		X

Notes: Former South African police detective Johan Slabbert turned to pipe making in 2000. For financial reasons, he initially searched for materials other than briar (which was very expensive to import). Since then, the African woods he discovered for his Jobert pipes have pleasantly surprised many smokers.

Johan now also makes some briar pipes, but his favourites remain Wild Olive, Lead and Black Hookthorne. Shapes are usually fairly conservative, though he occasionally carves in more unusual styles.

Comments: Despite his low price bracket, Johan Slabbert may be undergraded in the 'Affordable' tier.

The Wild Olive pipe shown here delivers a cool, pleasant smoke with no traces of alien flavours. The pipe is very well crafted, though the bit could be thinner. Above all, Johan proves that the loose patterns of Wild Olive can be utilized in a grain-conscious fashion. The effect is less 'self-contained' than the tighter grain of a briar pipe would allow, but Johan knows how to use that trait eloquently. In a wistful way, the pipe hints at the wood that once encompassed it.

Back...