Brigham: Voyageur (165) (Rock Maple Inserts) Tobacco Pipe

I quite enjoy Brigham's "65" shape, as it effectively fuses the bent Billiard with the Egg, the two profiles coming together into one striking, comfortable package. The shank and stem kick high out of an acute transition before taking on a smart downturn that lends itself to comfortable smoking and easy jaw-hanging. Up front, the bowl rests on a rounded, sweeping heel before flaring into a low-set waist that marks the taper to the rim, its walls dressed in the dark stain and craggy rustication of the Voyageur finish.

Like all of Brigham's lineup, this pipe also comes complete with the marque's signature Rock Maple Inserts. A rock maple dowel is drilled with a 3.5mm airway and pressure-fitted with a special metal cap that allows it to fit securely within the pipe while also being easily removable. The dowel is able to take the smoke from the bowl and pass it through the shank and a large section of the stem, removing moisture and unpleasant flavors that develop during the smoking process. No chemicals or adhesives are used to manufacture the rock maple inserts, ensuring it remains flavor-neutral. And because of the drilling, a rock maple insert is able to pass a pipe cleaner, even while the pipe is still assembled. The insert's design also helps prevent moisture from traveling back into the bowl or up the stem, helping to reduce pipe gurgle in the process.