Ropp: Vintage Smooth (811) Tobacco Pipe

Ropp's "811" Dublin is a sleek rendition of the classic shape which maintains a subtle muscularity thanks to its crisp, ridgeline-framed shank-and-stem combination. Said pairing takes on a diamond shape, something more traditionally seen in the Bulldog shape, though it here contributes to a sharp silhouette that does well to balance the bowl. The ridges at the shank continue through the underside and outline the heel firmly, its shaping supporting the bowl's measured flare out to a ridge that denotes a gentle dome toward the rim. A wide transition leaves plenty of room to drape a digit and sees the shank and stem taper down to the button, additionally canting the bowl forward slightly and offering an easy bit of dynamism.

Sourced from old stummels found at the Chapuis-Comoy factory, Ropp's Vintage line presents old-school, classic designs that were turned decades ago but never finished. This Superior piece is commended further, having been fashioned from select-quality, fill-free briar and is here dressed in a smooth, auburn stain. It's fitted with a stem of genuine horn, hearkening back to the style of mouthpieces from the early 1900s and accentuating the vintage motif to make for a thoroughly retro aesthetic.