American Estates: Brian Doran Rusticated Poker (2013) Tobacco Pipe

A sturdy, low-slung Poker design, this piece from American carver Brian Doran fits in well with his style of practical, economical smokers, placing an emphasis on high-quality engineering and robust styling. The bowl here is quite robust, with more than two inches of height, plenty of breadth, and a capacious chamber that's surrounded by thick, insulating walls. A wide, low-set transition sees the start of a rather trim shank which is paired to a demurely bent saddle stem for easy smoking, the wealth of briar here providing a lovely canvas for the craggy, darkly-stained rustication that dresses the stummel.