Dan Boswell Smooth Bent Dublin (2002) Tobacco Pipe

American artisan J.M. Boswell started his pipe making career in 1975 as an apprentice before starting his own brand in 1980. He also became an importer of briar for use by himself and other pipemakers, and was eventually followed into the craft by his son, Dan. The Boswells have two retail locations in south-central Pennsylvania and make exclusively handcrafted pipes.

The dense, striking flame grain covering the stummel is the star of this bent Dublin of Dan's making, though it is topped by some lovely plateau that gives the rim a unique, worthwhile silhouette. Other than the plateau, the stummel is finished smoothly to allow the flame grain to breathe. The result is a wonderfully level texture that is quite welcoming to the touch. As a nice pairing to the plateau, a tapered acrylic stem of translucent green joins the stummel with a great sense of whimsy. It's a playful piece from a marque that takes its pipe making seriously.