GH.ZHANG: Red Sandblasted Bent Apple with Silver (Ping Zhan) (08) 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. Most recognized for his free-flowing organic shaping, Zhan also has a deep affinity for classic shapes, as seen in this compact "08" bent Apple design. A plump and lightweight pipe of near Nosewarmer dimensions, this piece boasts a sinuous curvature through its shank and stem combination that nicely balances the presence of the bowl. Said shank and stem are poised for comfortable smoking, with the shank curling out of a wide transition to meet a sleek, black vulcanite saddle stem with a domed base: the junction here marked by a trim band of silver. Up front, the bowl stands on a sweeping heel and grows softly curved, supple walls that make an arcing taper to the gently chamfered rim, its build possessed of a dynamic forward cant. Dressed in a rich, auburn-hued sandblast, the stummel boasts a wealth of engaging texture all around the bowl.