Henri Sorensen: Smooth Billiard Tobacco Pipe

Originally a glazier, Danish artisan Henri Sørensen primarily takes inspiration from his country's great artisans, with many of his pipes reflecting a skill for fine facets and timeless aesthetics. This Billiard is a fine take on the timeless shape, one that expertly toes the line between its namesake shape and the Canadian, fully expressing the charming appearance of both sibling shapes. The transition here is wide, with ample space to drape a digit if desired, and it gives way to a subtly tapering shank that extends out just slightly more than would be expected from a standard Billiard. There's an almost effervescent broadening of the shank in comparison as well, which balances this pipe's visual weight extremely well, drawing focus to the aft side as the shank makes an understated taper toward the stem. Up front, the bowl stands on a muscular heel whose slight firmness supports a low-set waistline and walls that make an arcing taper to the rim, complete with enough curvature above the heel to make for a comfortable fit in hand. Not only is this pipe a fantastically balanced piece of Danish craftsmanship, it's also an impressively agile piece that measures in at just a touch over five inches long, making it a portable smoker. Additionally, it boasts a fairly light weight of just slightly over an ounce, lending it a versatile build that could be readily clenched if desired. Dressed in a warm, rich, smooth finish, the stummel is lined with flame through the shank, while a dense pattern of the flickering grain surrounds the bowl and the underside displays a vast plain of birdseye.