German Estates: Rainer Barbi Sandblasted Billiard (VN) (AC) Tobacco Pipe

The late Rainer Barbi is among Germany's greatest artisan pipe makers, and with a cumulative experience of nearly 40 years before his untimely death in 2011, it's not hard to see why. Barbi began carving pipes in 1974, learning his craft entirely on his own and growing to become one of the most accomplished carvers in the pipe world, gaining a considerable following as he continued to produce exceptional pieces.

This Billiard is a striking take on the timeless shape, staying true to convention in spirit, but possessed of a singular shank-and-stem combination that sets it apart from most other iterations of the profile. This shank and stem extend out from a wide transition, showcasing some subtle compression at the top and bottom that accentuates an extremely firm-lined diamond shaping throughout the two. Said shaping makes for a muscular feel in hand, though the two are possessed of an arrestingly slender outline that pushes most of the visual weight onto the bowl. A stainless steel reverse tenon marries the stem to the shank, keeping the fitment strong and durable without sacrificing the combination's svelte look. Up front, the bowl stands atop an extremely firm heel, as a pair of ridges at the flanks push past the transition and lift at the walls, curling through to meet at the fore and make for an impressively sharp look. The walls themselves take on a subtle taper from this point, rising to a gently chamfered rim that's finished smooth: contrasting the crisp, grain-defining sandblast that covers the rest of the stummel.