Scott Thile: Sandblasted Billiard (552) Tobacco Pipe

Scott Thile got his start in pipe making like many before him, with a DIY pipe kit. Thile's skills began to grow through trial and error, visiting pipe makers forums, and inspiration from other American pipe makers. Thile's shapes tend to err towards the traditional, as he expertly crafts classics like Bulldogs and Dublins, which make wonderful canvases for his warm smooth finishes and detailed sandblasts. Scott Thile once described his pipe making aesthetic as such: "the Danish neoclassics as interpreted by the North American greats." It's safe to say he can now count himself among those greats.

This Billaird by Scott Thile is an exemplary example of his affinity for crafting traditional shapes. The bowl here is tall and slender, its walls showcasing an even, linear taper as they ascend from the plump waistline to the trim rim. Although the bowl exudes traditional charm, the shank offers a slight revision to the shape, as its protracted length and subtle taper manifests a proud, muscular profile. Furthermore, the underside of the shank is flat, making this piece a resolute Sitter that would also make a fine desk-pipe. Additionally, the short tapered stem is crafted from vibrant cumberland, which complements the dark hues of the stummel. Said stummel is dressed in a black-stained sandblast, highlighting detailed, wiry growth rings that radiate from craggy patches of birdseye on the bowl and shank.