Ashton: Brindle Apple with Silver (XX) Tobacco Pipe

William "Bill" Ashton Taylor began working for Dunhill in 1959 at 15 years old, manning one of the legendary English marque's lathes after a lengthy apprenticeship. During his time at the White Spot, Bill absorbed all the secrets of the craft he could from their experienced carvers, coming into his own as a carver and marking the start of a lengthy career. After feeling the need to start his own company, Bill founded Ashton pipes in 1983, going into business for himself and holding his work to extremely strict standards of quality that have earned the Ashton name an excellent reputation. William passed away in 2009, entrusting Ashton's production to Jimmy Craig, his protege, who has maintained the stringent standards of his predecessor, creating pieces with timeless appeal and classic charm. This straight Apple from Ashton exemplifies their penchant for taking classic shapes and elevating them through colorful, brindled stems and elegant silver accents. This pipe features traditional shaping and proportions, with a softly rounded bowl and thick shank that maintain perfect balance. The heel is soft as it curves into the round shank that transitions smoothly into a tapered stem. The stem is rendered in eye-catching coffee-hued brindled vulcanite that contrasts the stummel without disrupting its traditional aesthetic. The briar is dressed in a deep, earthy sandblast that reveals swirling grain and rippling growth rings. This stylish piece is sure to make a valuable contribution to any smoker's collection.