J. Alan: Sandblasted Billiard with Silver (1930) Tobacco Pipe

When I see a straight Billiard like this, I immediately think just one thing: "good smoker," and "looks great." Alright, that's two things, which should come as no surprise since Jeff Gracik of J. Alan pipes always seems to pull off two things at once, and fortunately for the pipe-smoking community, it is those two very things he succeeds so well at. This is an American take on Danish pipe design, and a style that Jeff has made his own, with a crisply defined bowl that displays a lot of strength at the heel, a stoutly rounded shank, and a slightly abbreviated saddle stem.

A compact vision at under five inches long, this pipe strays into Nosewarmer territory, because it wants to make sure it is never left behind when you are on the go. It offers plenty of stimulation for both eyes and fingertips, with a rippling sandblast to accentuate growth rings around the bowl, a finish left lower-profile to maintain the profile's silhouette. The rim is smooth, inflated, and stained ruby red for contrast, looking quite inviting for your favorite blend, while a broad band of hammer-finished silver provides a flash of elegance and visual separation at the shank end. If you are looking for a prime smoking machine that looks great, you have come to the right place, and should not leave without slipping this fine piece into your pocket.