Dunhill: Shell Briar (4104) (2020) Tobacco Pipe

Both Dunhill's "17" and "04" shape numbers refer to straight Bulldog designs, complete with diamond shanks and tapered rims, defined by either a crisp beadline or more subtle ridgeline. Where the designs differ is in their height — the "17" being considerably more squat and low-set than the taller "04." This particular Group 4 rendition of the "04" is a trim, lightweight take on the classic shape, the bowl maintaining the form's conventional beadlines. The vulcanite mount establishes the crisp ridgelines of the diamond shank that continue into the abbreviated shank, meeting the bowl with precision and giving it a firm heel in the process. It's finished here in the Shell Briar sandblast, the all-black color palette creating a dress pipe aesthetic while the mount allows this piece to be broken down easily at any time.

The Shell Briar's addition to the Dunhill catalog was a pivotal moment in pipe-smoking history. Before 1917, pipes with sandblasted finishes had never been made, and Alfred Dunhill's innovative mind created arguably the most popular finish for pipes today when he unveiled the Shell Briar. With its dark, reserved color palette and delightful texture, it's no surprise that it's still wildly popular over a century later.