GH.ZHANG: Red Sandblasted Bulldog (Sergey Ailarov) (01) 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.

One of Russia's most prominent pipe-makers, Sergey Ailarov constantly thinks about pipe design, always sketching out his shapes before carving them. Ailarov draws on Danish, Japanese, and American pipe aesthetics for inspiration, which coalesce into his unique style that is put on proud display here by GH Zhang. This Ailarov "01" Bulldog by GH Zhang features a stout bowl, with the conical upper and lower domes separated by dual beadlines carved into the broad waist. Out back, the diamond shank tapers horizontally from a cheeked transition, imbuing the pipe with a muscular balance while keeping the profile sleek. Additionally, the ridgeline on the underside of the shank extends through the transition to form the sharp heel at the fore, providing this pipe with a robust in-hand feel. Dressed here in an earthy sandblast, the rugged texture of the briar's exposed growth rings exudes rustic appeal, while the chamfered rim wears a smooth finish for a palpable contrast alongside the brindled vulcanite stem.