Danish Estates: Paul's Pipes Smooth Bent Brandy (E) Tobacco Pipe

This bent Brandy from Paul's pipes is a subtly curved piece, one whose compact build makes it perfect for travel carry. A wide transition out back gives way to an extremely gently curved shank that flares understatedly out to a horn-patterned accent at the end, where it's met by a sleek, stylish, half-saddle stem made from cumberland. The shank and stem combination's comparatively willowy outline keeps much of the visual weight on the fore, but the half-saddle stem allows the undercurve of the pipe to remain consistent, creating an intriguing area of negative space in concert with the top side's dip into the bit. Up front, the bowl stands atop a firm heel, its outward push denoting a low-set waist that supports swiftly tapering walls as they rise to a taut rim. This bowl is substantive and robust in hand, yet the weight of this pipe is quite light, and its walls make an excellent canvas for the stummel's warm, rich, auburn-tinged stain.