French Estates: Ropp Etudiant Smooth (J04) (Unsmoked) Tobacco Pipe

The "J04" is one of the most unique, stylized shapes within Ropp's portfolio. A combination of Pot, Dublin, and Hourglass, the bowl is squat and thick-walled, marked by a pinched waistline that flares into an inflated rim, while the heel is flattened below. Accentuating the bowl, the trim combination of slender shank and saddle stem keep the piece lightweight, with the slight downward turn of the mouthpiece lending the profile a soft, Prince-like elegance.

In the Etudiant line, Ropp presents pipes that are fashioned from old-stock stummels sourced from the Chapuis-Comoy factory — like the French marque's Vintage, Vintage Stout, Vintage Superior, and Algerian Superior series. Etudiant pipes are designed to be lightweight, workhorse smokers, perfect for beginning and veteran pipe smokers alike, and offered at an attractive, budget-friendly price point. Paired to a jet-black, vulcanite stem, this particular one wears a chocolate-stained sandblast, fitting into Ropp's penchant for classic shapes and finishes.