Becker: Sandblasted Apple (Two Clubs) Tobacco Pipe

Becker pipes were founded by Fritz Becker, an Austrian emigrant who fled to Italy nearing the outbreak of World War II and the annexing of Austria by the Third Reich. The tradition of carving pipes has been passed down from him, and is now in its third generation, with Federico Becker, his grandson, taking the helm. From the outset, Becker pipes have been quite different stylistically than what is expected from Italian carvers, with a keen eye for compact, angular design that is less dramatic and much more subtle in its detailing, though with a good deal of momentum that makes each piece feel dynamic and graceful. These aspects can be seen readily in this straight Apple rendition, whose petite footprint and ethereal lightness are quite striking, weighing in at less than 20 grams and measuring almost exactly four-and-a-half inches long.

Certainly a Nosewarmer, this piece is eminently pocketable and can be easily clenched given its weight, making for a portable, practical design that can accompany you anywhere you wish to go. The shank and stem here feature a consistent taper from the wide transition that make the aft of the pipe quite svelte, as well as fostering an aerodynamic sense that increases the implied momentum of the piece. In concert, that detail works excellently with the angle of the bowl, as it's been canted forward a bit, pushing the rim out along with the rounded fore of the bowl itself, letting one see its understated plumpness, as well as its energetic stance. This bowl rests on an extremely firm, pointed heel, coming out to a spur and reinforcing both the aerodynamics of the pipe and the momentum, as if it were rushing forward, slicing through the air with its heel. Dressing the briar here is a beautiful tanblast that unveils some handsome grain, with growth rings emanating from the heel, and harmonizing very well with the dual boxwood accents at the stem base.