Pfeifenbox

Brands

Will Purdy

Tier:

Affordable	Mid-grade	Elevated	High-grade	Top
		X

Maker's own site: http://www.willpurdy.com/

Country: USA

Price: $180+ (note that price is indicated in $US)

Production method:

Factory	Machine-assisted	Freehand
		X

Notes: This summer (2004), Will Purdy has finally hit the scene, where quite a few people were already expecting him. He had prepared his debut meticulously over the past few years, honing his skills and discussing his work with various experts and collectors, yet stubbornly refusing to sell a pipe until he deemed his output good enough.

Greg Pease has this to say about Will: "He exhibits the desire to attain perfection that will propel him to greatness, if my hunch is correct."

Born in 1958, Purdy works with briar aged for a minimum of five years to carve subtle, yet very personal variations on the standard English and Danish shapes. He has a six tier grading system (in ascending order): E, D, C, B, A, Turtle.

Comments: 'Elevated' status is for the time being only - of this I am almost certain. Remember that the Pfeifenbox classification system is largely based on reputation, and Will's work is not yet widely known. As this changes, I am confident that he will move into the high-grade niche he deserves.

Meanwhile, collectors will enjoy very reasonably priced pipes carved in a spirit of tastefully restrained invention.

Back...