Rattray's: Bare Knuckle Terracotta (145) (9mm) Tobacco Pipe

Rattray's "145" bent Billiard is one of four shapes exclusive to the marque's Bare Knuckle series, alongside the "143," "144," and "146," and it presents with the line's characteristically robust construction. A tight-knit transition gives way to a remarkably thick, short, and upturned shank, cultivating a substantial feel in hand while remaining travel-friendly. Up front, the bowl stands on a rounded heel and grows a low-set waistline, its walls taking on a softly curvaceous taper to the rim while canting forward to add a subtle dynamism to the profile.

Rattray's Bare Knuckle series pays homage to the art of bare-knuckle boxing, and it centers around a quartet of stocky, pugilistic shapes in compact, Nosewarmer dimensions. Every pipe in the bare Knuckle line boasts thick musculature, with ample substance through the stummel, and they're paired to broad fitments of silvery metal at the shank end. This domed accent emulates the look of a spigot mount in tandem with a band of the same metal across the base of the stem, and they add a delightful, elegant contrast to the various finishes the line presents. Seen here is the Bare Knuckle's Terracotta smooth finish, dressing the briar in a rich, auburn-hued stain and a glossy topcoat, revealing handsome grain and offering an expressive palette.