J. Alan: Sandblasted Pot with Argentium Silver (1085) Tobacco Pipe

Jeff Gracik is definitely an artisan with an appreciation for robust forms, whether he's using mass and substance to back up the sweeping lines of a freehand with extra momentum, or as here, to produce a particularly solid classic. In this case that would be a classic Nosewarmer, of course, as the fireplug proportions make clear. At 43 grams and change, it's not quite what I'd call a featherweight (that silver band certainly isn't adding lightness), but the stocky measurements and mere four inches of overall length still leave this design with a clenchable balance.

As regards the silver specifically, Jeff has recently turned to a newer alloy; Argentium silver. In essence this similar in silver content to the familiar sterling (93.5% vs. traditional sterling's 92.5% standard), the main difference being that the remaining content includes germanium as well as copper. While this type of silver has been of great interest to jewelers and the like on account of several improved working properties, for the end-user the main advantage is this: it is simply more resistant to tarnishing.

- Eric N. Squires