Ropp: Honoré de Balzac Smooth (102) Tobacco Pipe

Ropp's "102" is a thoroughly traditional take on the bent Dublin, the broad bowl rising tall and proud from out of the tight-knit transition. While it fits in with the French marque's portfolio of classic shapes, the bowl is noticeably stouter compared to Ropp's other trim, svelte designs and houses a respectably deep chamber within. Unlike most Dublins, the bowl flares less dramatically, yet retains a full-bodied presence in hand while also catering to Ropp's penchant for traditional designs.

Considered one of the founders of European realism, Honoré de Balzac was a French novelist and playwright whose work greatly influenced the likes of Charles Dickens, Gustave Flaubert, and Jack Kerouac. Ropp presents their Honoré de Balzac series, comprised of Churchwarden shapes, as an homage to the writer — quite the apt commemoration, as Churchwardens are considered popular reading pipes. Perfect for smoking while lounged in an armchair, the characteristically long stem ensures that attention remains on the pages before you, requiring little movement to smoke. It's a series marked by classic French shapes, rendered by a classic French marque in honor of a classic French literary figure, with this particular offering presented in a traditional, auburn stain and accented by the line's flashy nickel accent band.