Bill Shalosky: Sandblasted Nosewarmer Bent Apple with Ebony (479) Tobacco Pipe

Bill Shalosky's work is recognizable much like the work of Danish carvers with 50 years of experience is recognizable: because he doesn't make mistakes of line, or proportion, or shape. At least not in the pipes he sells. He may have some losers in the trash bin, but I've not heard of them. His Apples are among his most recognizable shapes, organic of line and natural in hand. A medium-depth sandblast drapes the form from rim to shank end. The color contrast offered in this piece is subtle and chromatically harmonious with the composition: it's an elegant ring of New Guinea Ebony wood at the end of the shank, and it provides just the right color variation to make the rest of the pipe even more impressive. The sandblast has brought out some exceptional grain for wandering fingers to enjoy, and the transition is soft and easily accommodates any thumb or finger that wants to drape itself over the shank. Bill is a pipe maker to watch, in my opinion, and there's no better time to take advantage while his pipes are still priced below their obvious value.