Misc. Estates: Maksim Nazarenko Sandblasted Billiard with Horn Tobacco Pipe

After falling in love with the art of smoking, Maksim Nazarenko was encouraged by a friend to start making his own pipes. He took to it almost immediately, his now decade of experience informing a unique shaping style that ranges across a variety of design styles, with this straight Billiard representative of his more conservative work. The overall build here is rather robust, with a defined heartiness present throughout the stummel and stem, though the junction's fitment of horn tapers a touch, making things a bit more slender but understating the visual separation between it and the stem. Said stem is a sleek taper of black vulcanite that still maintains some thickness through its bit, while the bowl that stands opposite to it is a plump, supple bulb of briar that offers a lovely feel in hand. The wide transition that leads away from it promises easy thumb draping, and the subtle curves of the walls make for a profile that conforms quite well to the fingers. Dressing the briar here is a dark, inky sandblast that reveals rippling growth rings cascading down the bowl, while the rim is peppered with birdseye and the horn accent offers rich contrast.