Grechukhin: Smooth Bent Apple with Palmwood Tobacco Pipe

Any Apple interpretation from Vladimir Grechukhin is immediately recognizable as his work, with a plump, proportionally large bowl, cheeking at the transition, a stout but sleek shank, and a charming, diminutive length. This pipe bears that reputation proudly and pairs the bowl to a discrete S-curve of shank and stem. The overall length is four-and-a-half inches, for a Nosewarmer pipe that is equally ready to nestle comfortably in a palm or hang from your jaw.

Vladimir has given this pipe a smooth finish, its glossy auburn surface bringing striking flame grain out on the bowl's sides and tight concentrations of birdseye on the underside and top of shank. A thin black ring demarcates the briar at the shank face, after which further adornment of palmwood offers additional intrigue. One of Grechukhin's lithe vulcanite saddle stems, hand cut for comfort and an effortless draw, completes the S-curve with a slight downcurve. All told, this pipe looks quite inviting both to smoke and just gaze at longingly. Quite longingly, if I'm honest.