J.T. Cooke Sandblasted Billiard (OKF) (2005) (PROTO 1) (Personal Pipe) Tobacco Pipe

Straight from J.T. Cooke's own personal collection, this OKF Billiard is sure to be a coveted find for any fan of the artisan's work. After all, Cooke's meticulous, labor- and time-intensive approach already kept his annual rate of production low when he was actively carving, and now that he has retired, his work is even harder to come by.

Rugged and muscular, this Billiard showcases a plethora of expertly blasted grain. Cooke's sandblasts are among the best of the best, and this specimen makes an excellent showcase of his prowess in the blasting cabinet. Though we have no definitive explanation as to what the "PROTO 1" stamp on the shank means, the unique tone of the sandblast is incredibly similar to this Apple we've seen from Cooke previously, which bore a "PROTO 2" stamp. Regardless of this correlation, the finish on this piece is endlessly fascinating in both its color and its mesmerizing texture, and it's complemented handsomely by the rich caramel hues of the swirled acrylic stem.