Ropp: Etudiant Sandblasted (J11) Tobacco Pipe

A compact Billiard with a slight, Brandy-like taper toward the rim, Ropp's "J11" benefits from a broad base and flattened underside — not fully paneled, so as to maintain the shape's lines, but flat enough to ensure study sitting. Out back, the shank-and-stem combination resembles a Lumberman's, displaying an oval cross section and saddle mouthpiece while remaining more abbreviated in overall length. Such a combination of design cues, makes the "J11" a convenient, highly versatile piece, well-suited as a desk pipe and easily pocketed for portability, and still within Ropp's classic shaping style.

In the Etudiant line, Ropp presents pipes that are fashioned from old-stock stummels sourced from the Chapuis-Comoy factory — like the French marque's Vintage, Vintage Stout, Vintage Superior, and Algerian Superior series. Etudiant pipes are designed to be lightweight, workhorse smokers, perfect for beginning and veteran pipe smokers alike, and offered at an attractive, budget-friendly price point. Paired to a jet-black, vulcanite stem, this particular one wears a chocolate-stained sandblast, fitting into Ropp's penchant for classic shapes and finishes.