J. Alan: Sandblasted Billiard with Ivorite (1963) Tobacco Pipe

Jeff Gracik's influence by the Danish school of pipe making is evident in this sandblasted Billiard, from its rounded rim to its tapered mouthpiece. The bowl is slightly less curvaceous than that of many of his compositions, here emphasizing the firm forward heel with a slight taper up to the rim from the base. The shank is traditionally proportioned in relation to the bowl, and is capped by a pale accent of Ivorite for a visually stimulating bit of color and tone contrast, while the mouthpiece promises comfort when clenched, something easily achieved thanks to this pipe's light weight.

Proportion is everything in a Billiard, and Jeff doesn't fail. On the contrary, he elevates the shape with deft proportioning that hews closely to traditional standards, but does so with such a mastery of execution that it brings new life to the classic form. Few shapes perform as well as a Billiard, and Jeff's engineering further guarantees excellent smoking properties. And because this pipe will spend so much time being smoked, those details bring a great deal of importance to the piece.