Bill Shalosky: Sandblasted Billiard (783) Tobacco Pipe

Bill Shalosky, a Fine Arts graduate and seasoned pipe smoker, combines a range of influences in his craftsmanship, emphasizing precision, engineering, and comfortable, slender stems. Shalosky first began making pipes while studying at the Columbus College of Art and Design, where he crafted his first pipe out of clay. Now an accomplished artisan at BriarWorks, Shalosky draws inspiration from "every pipe ever made." One of Shalosky's streamlined compositions, this piece lacks the pronounced muscularity of his other offerings, instead presenting with a classic Anglo-French silhouette. Although the shank is elongated, the composition remains balanced thanks to a touch of muscularity in the bowl's heel. A tapered stem of brindled vulcanite brings up the rear, its blue and pale hues adding some complexity to the palette. An auburn-stained sandblast dresses the stummel, highlighting lovely grain throughout and creating a stimulating texture to enjoy while smoking.