Danish Estates: Bentley Former Design Sandblasted Apple (ROM 98) Tobacco Pipe

Established in Kleinlutzel, Switzerland by Hans "Former" Nielsen during the 1980s, the Bentley line was created after the demand for Danish Freehand pieces in the United States began to wane, with W.Ø. Larsen then having some of their pipe makers work from home. Designed by the Danish artisan himself and produced with frazing machines, Bentley pipes showcase Former's high-quality craftsmanship within an accessible price range. Seen here is a handsome rendition of the classic Apple shape, with a plump, pert bowl posed at the fore with supple walls curving from the broad base toward the rim, contouring well to the hand. A compact shank transitions from the bowl, capped with a rounded, brassy ferrule at the shank end as it meets a slender, gingerly downturned tapered stem. The stummel wears a dark, crisp sandblast, pairing well with the shank end's bright accent and offering a refined color palette.