Ashton: Pebble Grain Brandy (XXX) Tobacco Pipe

Headed by Jimmy Craig, English workshop Ashton primarily crafts pipes of a timeless, classical style, often elevated by stems of signature brindled vulcanite and fitments of elegant silver. Though the Brandy isn't a shape often crafted by Ashton, it's not necessarily a rare one either, but this particular arrangement of features stands out as an extremely scarce one within their portfolio. Rather than pairing its iconic bowl to a standard round shank and stem, or even an oval-shaped pair, this pipe features a firm, muscular, diamond-shaped shank and stem combination whose sharply angled silhouette balances the bowl nicely. This shank and stem take on a consistent taper from the wide transition to the button, the extended reach of the stem emphasizing the sleekness of this aft-side duo. Up front, the bowl stands on a rounded heel, supporting a low-set waistline and thick, arcing walls that taper comfortably to a flat rim: the walls offering a wonderful canvas to showcase Ashton's earthy, Pebble Grain sandblast.