#freehandpipe

Peter Hedegaard – OP3

Peter Hedegaard began his career in the 1970s. He learnt the craft in the workshop of W.Ø. Larsen in Copenhagen, among other places – the legendary breeding ground for Danish "Freehand" design.

The OP stands for "Own Shape". In contrast to his classic models (such as traditional Billiards or Princes), Hedegaard used the OP stamp for his free-form pipes (Freehands). These are pipes in which he was guided primarily by the natural grain of the wood. Every OP pipe is a completely unique piece.

Hedegaard’s grading scale generally ranged from 1 to 4 (with 4 being the highest grade, awarded to pipes displaying a perfect, flawless straight grain or birdseye pattern).

A grade of 3 therefore indicates a pipe of exceptionally high calibre. The wood displays an excellent, dense grain, often featuring a very clean flame grain or fine straight grain.

Former - Freehand

When we talk about Former, we are talking about a living legend: Hans Nielsen, better known by his brand name "Former." He belongs to the absolute elite of Danish pipe makers.

Hans Nielsen began his career at W.Ø. Larsen in Copenhagen, where he perfected the craft of high-end series production before striking out on his own. His "Freehand" pipes are not mass-produced; they are sculptures made from the finest plateau briar.

Tom Eltang – Freehand

Tom Eltang is considered a living legend in the world of pipe making. When speaking of his freehand pipes, one is referring to a perfect symbiosis of Danish design tradition and almost mathematical precision.

One of the most striking features of his freehand pipes is the contrast staining technique he has perfected.

This technique involves staining the wood so that the softer parts of the briar are darkened and then sanded down again before a lighter color—often a bright yellow or gold—is applied.