GH.ZHANG: Sandblasted Bent Brandy with Horn (Sergey Ailarov) (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, each of which is serialized, 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 "08" bent Brandy by GH Zhang features a tall, full-bodied bowl that stands at the fore of an upturned shank and a demurely curved tapered stem. The aforementioned bowl boasts a distinctly Danish build, possessing a subtle curvature and slender walls that taper upward to a taut rim. Additionally, this bowl boasts a subtle forward cant that's accentuated by the sweeping curvature of the shank-and-stem arrangement. This particular "08" Ailarov wears a crisp sandblast and bears a vibrant horn accent.