Ropp: Mid-Century Sandblasted (M413) Tobacco Pipe

This "M413" Poker from Ropp pairs an angular bowl to a demure shank-and-stem arrangement. The bowl's underside is flattened but oriented on a tilt, imbuing this piece with an active posture. Furthermore, the walls flare out with linear precision, giving the bowl a tall, trapezoidal character. The low-set, slim transition offers a clean break between the geometric bowl and the shank-and-stem arrangement, which is possessed of a protracted, graceful arc that returns to parallel. The crisp fore and soft aft of the composition showcase a dynamic contrast, but their union manifests a trim, lightweight offering that radiates classic appeal.

Ropp's Mid-Century series embodies the intersection between the French and Scandinavian pipe making traditions. After WWII, Scandinavian pipe production skyrocketed, infusing the craft with minimalist designs and functional aesthetics. The burgeoning Scandinavian workshops turned to France, the progenitor of pipe tradition, to supply them with the tools and knowledge necessary for escalating the modern pipe making movement. The Mid-Century series is comprised of old-stock stummels originally shaped during that exciting time, which were recently finished at the historic Chapius-Comoy factory. Furthermore, the shapes showcase iconic Scandinavian design cues like sweeping, gestural profiles and towering bowls. Additionally, every Mid-Century pipe wears one of Ropp's signature finishes, either a chocolatey sandblast or smooth auburn stain, with this piece being dressed handsomely in the former.