Sandblasted Volcano with Suriname Ironwood (848) (2026) Tobacco Pipe

Formerly known as the American Pipe Making Exposition, our annual Global Pipe Making Exposition features contributions from some of the world's foremost artisans, all united around a central theme. One of the most exciting events of the year for carvers, smokers, and enthusiasts of briar alike, the Global Exposition acts not only as a showcase for the immense talent of these artisans but as a focus for the boundless creativity that these masters of the art possess. For 2026, the theme of our Expo is "The Art of the Sandblast," celebrating the artistry and craftsmanship behind one of the most meticulous finishing techniques in pipe making. Through the sandblast, these artisans transform the natural grain of briar into textured works of art, highlighting the unique character of each block and demonstrating the artistry of the technique.

For this year's Expo, Bill Shalosky has presented us with a pipe that not only fits the theme perfectly, but also offers an excellent demonstration of his signature style. A crisp, highly distinctive take on the classic shape, this Volcano is underscored by a swift, sweeping curve that emphasizes the bowl's inherent depth and muscularity. Moreover, said curvature imbues the composition with a heightened sense of forward movement, which is exaggerated by the inward curvature of the bowl's fore and the jutting, concave shaping of the rim. Excellent ring grain ripples throughout the bowl and shank, while the sweeping underside showcases some lovely plateau: all dressed in a stunning sandblast that's as rich in texture as it is in color. Topping off the shank is a dual-toned accent fashioned from Suriname ironwood — the same material that adorns the shoulders of the finely shaped saddle stem, the two coinciding seamlessly with one another. Boasting a pleasing medley of tones and textures, and exhibiting Shalosky's eclectic yet one-of-a-kind style, this Volcano is a fine fixture in the lineup of Expo pipes we have received this year.