A revered master of the Danish tradition, Hans "Former" Nielsen has rightfully earned his status as a legendary artisan pipe maker. His historic career began when he was a mere 15 years old, initially hired to repair pipes in Poul Rasmussen's shop in Copenhagen. Nielsen was able to gain firsthand experience in examining a pipe's internal engineering and learning what made a pipe properly function. After his Former would then work for W.Ø. Larsen, honing his skills while also overseeing the factory's quality control and fashioning pieces alongside fellow luminaries such as Teddy Knudsen and Tonni Nielsen. Former eventually built his own workshop and has been crafting exquisite high-grade pipes for decades.

With over 60 years of experience, he creates exemplary pieces in demand the world over. With a bowl that urges forward with implied momentum, a slight reverse cant to the rim, plump cheeking at the transition, and a flare outward at the shank to the bullet-nose stem base, this muscular yet supple bent Egg rendition is a fine example of both his shaping style and precise craftsmanship.

Finished with a black-on-red sandblast that displays concentric waves of ring grain down its bowl, it's been paired to a meticulously hand-cut vulcanite saddle stem, perfectly bent to complete a sinuous S-curve. An exquisite piece inside and out, this pipe will make a fitting centrepiece in even the most distinguished of pipe collections.

— Adam O'Neill