Askwith: Sandblasted Billiard Tobacco Pipe

Chris Askwith's penchant for crafting pipes of a more traditional, classic leaning is well represented in this straight Billiard, the English artisan doing well to capture the solid, hearty proportions of the timeless shape in his work. Proudly upright in its construction, the bowl of this Billiard stands tall upon a firm, pronounced heel, transitioning to the shank with a supple cheeking, the shank itself quite trim in comparison to the lengthy stem. The sides of this bowl feature a subtle flare in their travel to the rim, allowing for the hand to grip its walls comfortably, the rim which tops it softly inflated before it dips into the capacious chamber. Proportions here are quite important, as is the case with all pipes, though it's especially true in the case of the shape-chart standards of old, given that any accidental deviation may throw off the look and balance of the entire piece, though this is something which Askwith deftly avoids, displaying a strong command over the shaping throughout its build. The dressing here is understated, with a crisp black sandblast covering the briar and showcasing a handsome cross-grain structure, all complemented by a stem that's more contemporary: one rendered from translucent crimson and black polyester for a splash of contrast.