Danish Estates: Sixten Ivarsson Sandblasted Billiard with Bamboo (1983) Tobacco Pipe

A pioneer of handmade pipes in the 1950s and '60s, Sixten Ivarsson applied a functionalist methodology to the craft, and his methods — from "shape first, drill second," to the use of a sanding disk as his primary shaping tool, among others — are still prominent parts of the artisan pipe making process years later. Perhaps most standout, however, is Sixten's underlying philosophy: that pipes are a tool, first and foremost, and while form must follow function, there is no reason that the form cannot also be beautiful.

While this approach may be more obvious in his signature shapes, which are impossible to produce on a lathe, it certainly isn't absent in classic shapes like this straight Billiard. It's of medium length and a lightweight design, with a sandblasted finish which is quite craggy in texture. Of particular interest, as well, is the mouthpiece, where Sixten was known to take great care in shaping his buttons for maximum comfort. The result is a low-profile, wide button that makes for an easy clench.

The bowl here is proportionally tall, joining the shank at a very low transition that magnifies the stature of the cylindrical bowl. Two knuckles of bamboo comprise the shank extension, providing contrast of texture and color, and helping to maintain the light weight of the piece. It's an extraordinarily well-made Billiard from the Danish master, and it's survived since 1983, making it an extraordinary bit of pipe-making history that will no doubt offer many more years of smoking contentment.