Smooth Acorn (Royal Flush) (2022) Tobacco Pipe

Federico Becker represents the third generation of his family turning pipes, following in the footsteps of grandfather Fritz and father Paolo, who founded the Becker workshop together in 1974. The self-titled brand Federico carries on today is known for organic renditions of classic shapes, most commonly featuring sharp, angular heels.

This Becker Acorn, which was given the company's Royal Flush designation, is no exception. In terms of shape, the bowl is bulbous at the top and falls to a heel that is pointed at the very bottom of the fore to give the underside of the bowl a nearly heart-shaped profile. Tight flame grain decorates the bowl all the way around with a small patch of birdseye surrounding the chamber, and the entire stummel is smoothly finished with a pale stain akin to light ash. A long cumberland stem stretches lightly downward behind the stummel to push this piece's length past five inches. It's still feather-light, however, weighing in at just over one and one-quarter ounces. The shaping of this piece is simple and its coloring far from flashy, but it's Federico's excellent line work and sense of organicism that makes this piece a real treasure, taking it away from a normal shape-chart Acorn and making every bit of it his own.