Nørding: Hunting Pipe Smooth Elephant (2015) Tobacco Pipe

Nording's Hunting Pipe series pays tribute to various animal species around the world in an effort to draw attention to conservation efforts. Started in 1995, this series is a yearly release that's different with each iteration and 2015's shape was this Horn-like bent Dublin, a shape created to represent the elephant. The words hunting and elephant go together like oil and water, though since this line is dedicated to conservation I'm much less concerned about its connotations, instead being drawn to the gently sinuous outline of the pipe itself. The entirety of the composition is possessed of a lithe, demure curvature throughout, the shank being upturned to meet a stylized stem that takes on an understated arc at the bit. From out of a wide transition grows a dramatically flaring bowl, its walls expanding in an ovoid shape that promises a comfortable feel in hand, its rim showcasing some thick, insulating walls for a pleasing smoking experience. The outline itself is reminiscent of pachyderms as a whole, with the hearty bowl much like the robust head or ears of an elephant while the shank and stem take on a look like that of curved tusks or a gestural trunk. Dressed in a smoky grey stain and finished smooth, this piece showcases some handsome grain and a palette that's complimented by the grey hues of the stem.