Bill Shalosky: Sandblasted Liverpool with Juma (571) Tobacco Pipe

Bill Shalosky is among the best when it comes to crafting classic shapes, often applying his own stylistic vision to them, as indicated by this artistic Liverpool. The American carver began his career as a pipe restorer, learning the internal aspects of what makes a quality pipe. This piece is informed by his vast pipe-making experience, the shaping precise, the quality and finish superb.

A rather lengthy take on the Liverpool, this streamlined piece sees the Billiard bowl displaying the most subtle of cants, its posture poised and classic. It's paired with the form's elongated, rounded shank, which extends from a low-set transition, further emphasizing the bowl's height and the shank's sleek disposition. Bill has hand-cut the tapered, abbreviated stem from Juma, a material he often uses to great effect, the alternative medium being a synthetic ivory substitute that's both stylish and environmentally conscious. The creamy hues of the mouthpiece are starkly contrasted by the rustic, mahogany-toned sandblast covering the stummel, which showcases both growth rings and flame grain across the bowl.