Bill Shalosky Sandblasted Brandy with Fordite (389) (Unsmoked) Tobacco Pipe

Bill Shalosky is an American artisan who entered the world of pipes by first repairing and restoring them. It wasn't long before he began crafting his own pipes, though, and he has since amassed an impressive portfolio featuring a variety of silhouettes, from shape-chart classics to distinctive Freehands. This Brandy hews closer to the former end of that spectrum, though it still retains plenty of design cues that make it unmistakably "Bill."

Shalosky's use of Fordite, a unique, upcycled material with origins in the automotive industry, always makes for an eye-catching flourish. In this piece, it's practically the star of the show, with its ripples of gray, burgundy, and cream creating a fetching pop of contrast against the dark, smoky sandblast that dresses the stummel — itself serving to highlight the broad base and easy taper of the bowl, if only through its understatement. All in all, this Brandy shows off Bill's skilled eye for not only shaping, but also for finish work and color.