J. Alan: Sandblasted Acorn Two Pipe Set with Ping Zhan (with Tamper and Claudio Albieri Case) Tobacco Pipe

This stunning two pipe set showcases the talents of American artisan Jeff Gracik, Chinese carver Ping Zhan, and the expert leather work of Claudio Albieri from Italy. It was a global collaboration that took years of coordination and planning, but the wait has clearly paid off as is evident from viewing the final product. Both pipes demonstrate how influences in pipe making spread around the world and how the community is a global phenomenon. Each Acorn rendition evokes the appearance of the Peewit shape from the legendary Sixten Ivarsson, a carver that notably trained master artisan Hiroyuki Tokutomi. Toku previously mentored both Jeff and Ping, passing down his knowledge and showcasing how pipe makers learn from each other. It's also part of the reason this set was born as it's a product of Gracik's and Zhan's experience and training.

It's a stunning set that highlights Jeff and Ping's distinctive approach. Both are expertly sandblasted, with a fiery contrast stain that makes the ring grain on each piece even more visually captivating. Three knuckles of pale bamboo have been employed as shank extension, imbuing each piece with even more organicism while offering additional texture thanks to the bumpy nodes that wrap around each knuckle. The saddle stems are gracefully bent on each design, continuing the bamboo's momentum and promise comfort for clenching whenever desired.

A set this special obviously requires an equally special case and Claudio Albieri has certainly delivered. While it's built to safely store the pipes and allow for easy travel, Albieri wanted the case to also be used to display these pieces when they're not in use. Each pipe comes with its own magnetic pipe stand which attaches to the metal plate underneath the nameplate logo on the case's top. When opened, there are individual slots to accommodate both pipe stands and the sandblasted tamper made by Gracik that comes with this set. The talent and creativity of all three artisans is readily evident in this set and is primed to be the centerpiece of any collections it joins.