Henri Sorensen: Rusticated Billiard Tobacco Pipe

Like many artisan makers, Henri Sørensen entered the craft through his love of pipe smoking, a hobby he shared with his brother. Originally a glazier by trade, Sørensen had always held an affinity for old-school craftsmanship, so it didn't take long before the Danish carver decided to make a pipe of his own. He draws inspiration from Denmark's rich pipe-making history, channeling the spirit of the Danish greats while imbuing his designs with a style that is singularly his own. A handsome showing of Sørensen's craftsmanship, this Billiard boasts a reserved length, measuring less than five inches long. The shape's conservative dimensions belie the pipe's muscular build, with a palpable brawniness evident throughout the stummel. In typical Danish fashion, the bowl possesses a subtle taper from heel to rim, its gradual narrowing deftly rounding out the chamber's walls for a comfortable in-hand feel. A wide transition follows the bowl and marks the start of a sturdy shank that swiftly joins an amber-hued acrylic stem. The warm complexion of the mouthpiece matches the bright stain at the rim and shank end and contrasts the rest of the shape's dark, craggy rustication. Said rustication consists of grooved channels that evoke the look of scales.