Scott Thile: Partially Sandblasted Bent Bulldog Two Pipe Set with Stand and Tamper (OP2) (435) (436) Tobacco Pipe

A two-pipe set of Bulldogs is Scott Thile's contribution to the American Exposition, Bulldogs inspired by one of his greatest pipe-making influences: Brad Pohlmann. Brad's own John Bull shape is the inspiration, but Scott has opted for an interpretation with a rim that is less wide and a shank with slightly less proportionate dimension.This matching set includes two pipes, both sandblasted with smooth rims, one in a chestnut stain and the other stained black. The rims of both are a chestnut hue, with slightly chamfered inner rims surrounding the tobacco chambers. Ivorite accents in creamy white elevate both with crisp contrast against the jet-black vulcanite tapered stems. Scott has imbued these pipes with gentle and consistent curvature along the undersides, curves that reach to the beadlines at the waistlines, providing an elegance and softness in juxtaposition to the crisp ridgelines of the diamond shanks. Those shanks taper very slightly as they leave the very tight transitions that define the bowls as if independent elements along the tops of the shanks.

The included tamper offers the same coloration as the pipes, with black vulcanite and white ivorite against the chestnut hue of the body, and footed with machined brass for heat resistant tamping. The pipes, however, are the starring attraction here. With crisp edging, precise transitions, and a winsome grace in profile, these pipes will be hard to disregard by anyone with an appreciation for modern interpretations of the historic Bulldog shape.