Jacono: Knight Apple Tobacco Pipe

In 1981, Tonino Jacono's father-in-law extended an offer to start a new pipe-making workshop, his father-in-law providing high-quality briar from his job at a briar-cutting mill, his brother shaping the pipes, and Tonino himself doing the finishing. The idea was developed further, and, two years later, the first Jacono pipes were made in 1983 from out of the family's small workshop in Jesi, Italy. Tonino's start at this new venture was guided by a simple principle: offer pipes of the highest possible quality at the best possible price. Tonino now heads the company and has taken on carving responsibilities himself, staying true to his original goal, though benefiting from more than three decades of pipe-making experience and a reputation for excellence. This Apple is a sleek and aerodynamic piece from the workshop, with a wide transition that gives way to a sharply tapering shank and stem combination that lends the aft side of the pipe a sharp, gestural quality. The slimness of the shank and stem places the vast majority of the visual weight onto the bowl, drawing the eye toward its impressive suppleness. The walls of the bowl are delightfully rounded, making for a comfortable feel in hand, flaring toward a mid-set waist and making an arcing taper to the rim while its entire bulb-like build cants forward. Dressing the stummel is Jacono's craggy Knight rustication, the ample texture on offer showcased beneath a rich, earthy stain.