GH.ZHANG: Smooth Bent Apple (Ping Zhan) (09) Tobacco Pipe

Guo Hui Zhang's passion for pipes began with his work as an importer and purveyor of pipe-making materials. Zhang's understanding of large-scale pipe logistics inspired an exciting idea: the mass production of high-quality, artisan pipes. In 2017, he opened the GH Zhang workshop and partnered with pipe makers around the world to achieve his vision. Each GH Zhang pipe is designed by a famous artisan pipe maker and shaped on a CNC machine before being finished by hand and fitted with stems by the team at GH Zhang. Offering more than 40 shapes in smooth and sandblasted finishes, GH Zhang presents pipe smokers with a rare opportunity to procure artisan-style pipes at an accessible price.

Hailing from Dalian, China, Ping Zhan is among the most well-known and highly regarded pipe makers working today. Zhan began carving pipes in 2011 and draws much of his inspiration from the Danish and Japanese schools of pipe design, displaying a keen eye for sleek lines and inventive shaping. Zhan's work often possesses a distinctively organic sensibility, which this "09" bent Apple admirably displays. The shank and stem here take on a dynamic posture, with the shank itself curling gently out of a wide transition and flaring at the end, creating a firm line that denotes a domed face inlaid with a brass ring. This ring bolsters the sturdy push-mount of the sleek, black vulcanite saddle stem, making for a pipe that can be easily disassembled, while the base of the stem boasts an expansion ring that mirrors the presence of the shank face. The delightful dynamism of the shank and stem nicely balance the presence of the bowl, one that stands atop a rounded, sweeping heel and expands out to a low-set waist. These walls take on a taper from the waist to the rim, canting forward gently and providing plenty of space to showcase the stummel's rich, auburn-tinged smooth finish.