Bill Shalosky: Sandblasted Pot (549) Tobacco Pipe

Having fashioned pieces for BriarWorks, Smoker's Haven, and Chheda Pipes, Bill Shalosky could be said to have some experience in the craft. He points to "every pipe ever made" as having inspired his own work, which makes sense when viewing the diversity of his portfolio. His work can range from classic shape-chart standards to more organic, Danish-inspired pieces, but no matter what he produces, Shalosky's admiration for the craft is always evident. This Pot hews closer to the more conservative end of his shaping spectrum, but it still possesses the elegance and sophistication expected from a Shalosky pipe.

Stock and squat, the bowl of this piece is perched at the fore of a long stretch of shank and stem — à la the classic Liverpool. The low-set transition works in tandem with the shank-and-stem arrangement to keep the profile of the pipe streamlined and sleek, removing any unnecessary visual noise or accoutrements and allowing the shaping and finishing of the pipe to take center stage. The lightly chamfered rim softens the firm, muscular features of the bowl while also ensuring a favored blend can be more easily loaded into the chamber. It's all dressed in a dark, craggy sandblast that coaxes out rippling waves of growth rings across the flanks of the bowl and provides a stimulating texture for wandering fingers. A tapered cumberland stem tops off the design and perfectly harmonizes with the complexion of the briar for a unified appearance.