I first started seeing photos of Joan Canto's pipes on IG and I was blown away at the beauty and attention to details in every pipe he created. I eventually checked out his website and and photos of every pipe were crystal clear and very professional. Well, he's also a photographer in Catalonia, Spain which explains it. He calls himself an apprentice pipe maker---I think not! This pipe maker has some skills and are apparent in his photos.
One day he posted progress pics of a Zulu pipe with a Cumberland stem. Now a Zulu followed by a Dublin is a pipe shape that I've wanted to own for some time now, so I asked how much one would have to pay to own one of his pipes. After a few emails we came to an agreement which made us both happy. He understood my interest in this pipe and he remembered that I often commented on his posted photos on IG from the beginning...so he wanted me to have this pipe. A week later I received a package in the mail---it was the Zulu that I ordered! This is the first pipe he has produced in 2014, and now it is mine :)
When I pulled the pipe out of this pipe sock, I immediately noticed how light this pipe really was. This is probably the lightest pipe in my small collection :) It is sandblasted and has a smooth chamber. The sandblasted briar stops just short of the stem which leaves a smooth band that measures about 1/32" in width. Underneath the shank is his stamp on a section of the unblasted brair; Canto, a pair of glasses, and the number 14. The mortise and tenon work is nice and tight, the draw is smooth and clear, but his stem/button work is amazing!
Now that I had this pipe I had to choose a tobacco to break her in---Esoterica Penzance would be the tobacco of choice! Even though my stash of Penzance is small, rubbing out a few slices of Penzance for this occasion is more than worth it! The way the pipe feels clenched in my mouth and the smooth draw made breaking in this "tan lady", as Joan put it, a fantastic experience :) So if you haven't added a Joan Canto pipe to your collection, you're missing out for sure! Be sure to check out his work at http://www.cantopipes.com. That's talent right there!
Zulu Pipe Measurements:
Length=5-3/8"
Bowl Width=1-3/8"
Height=1-7/8"
Stem Length=2-3/8"
Tenon Length=1/2"
Chamber Width=7/8"
Weight=1.0 oz