Askwith: Sandblasted Morta Apple Tobacco Pipe

English artisan Chris Askwith began his pipe journey in 2006, when he first started smoking a pipe and realized that the tools he used as a silversmith could be used to repair pipes. In 2007, he met Paul Hubbart, the man behind Larryson pipes, who gave Askwith a chance to make some pipes from scratch. Askwith eventually invested in specialized tooling that allowed him to produce original pipes full-time, and since then, he's become a prominent figure in artisan pipe making. This Billiard showcases Askwith's unique style, which consists of modernizing classic Anglo-French standards through colorful stem materials and alternative mediums.

A chubby and compact design, measuring just a bit over five inches in total length, this Apple from Chris Askwith is rendered from morta, a petrified bog oak that's a favored medium for the English carver. The stummel is sandblasted to reveal the unique swirls and striations of the morta, and it's all stained a midnight-black hue for a particular shadowy silhouette. Offering a comfortable fit in hand, this piece is topped by a violet and white polyester stem, which tapers along with the shank to emphasize the bowl's soft curves, wide heel, and muscular build.