Henri Sorensen: Smooth Elephant's Foot with Horn Tobacco Pipe

With tutelage from Tom Eltang, Lasse Skovgaard, Kai Neilsen, and Jens "Tao" Nielsen, Henri Sørensen has established himself among Denmark's burgeoning generation of talented young artisan pipe makers. His prior expertise as a glazier brings craftsmanship experience to his pipe making as well as an established artistic eye, and his work often draws inspiration from Danish greats.

The Elephant's Foot is a well-established design within the world of artisan pipe making. First created by Swedish icon Bo Nordh, the shape is defined by a teardrop-shaped bowl flanked with panels that frame the briar's cross grain. It requires an exceptional briar block and is among the best shapes at showcasing immaculate grain. This example by Sørensen is a beautiful rendition, as the cross-grain-laden panel bisecting the bowl leaves swathes of birdseye on the fore and aft. A long accent of horn extends the shank before giving way to a hand-cut vulcanite stem, and it's all dressed in a smooth, auburn stain for traditional appeal and stunning grain presentation.