G. Penzo: Smooth Horn (Flame) (A) Tobacco Pipe

Giacomo Penzo is a relative newcomer to the pipe world, but with his background in industrial design he has quickly risen to some prominence, recognizing that his pipes must be a combination of beautiful, efficient, and have excellent smoking qualities. This Horn is a curious combination of all of these, and I say this because of its asymmetry. When I first laid hands on this pipe I was confused, because at first glance, it looks to have been made off center, with the fore of the body twisting to the right. I figured it must have been unintentional and was disappointed, but then I realized that this design choice was completely necessary for this pipe's success, as, it promotes one of the best in-hand feels of any Horn I've ever handled. Not only this, but the chamber drilling is perfectly in line with the stem, and, as I inspected further, I realized that the asymmetry allows for the grain to follow every curve of the profile, with striations of flame rising up the flanks and birdseye completely coating the top and underside. The more I looked at this pipe the more I loved it, and the asymmetry, now that I realize it serves a purpose and actually enhances the look of the piece, is incredibly charming and makes me feel like a fool to have ever doubted the Italian artisan's work. This piece is an exemplar of the Horn shape, with a constant flare from the button to the rim, slowly expanding the shape while also building a quartet of ridgelines that emerge from the shank end out of smooth briar. The rim itself is domed and the entrance to the chamber is deeply chamfered, another subtle detail that emphasizes the artistry with which Penzo's pipes are crafted.