Dunhill: Shell Briar (5222) (2017) Tobacco Pipe

A handsome English Poker, this "22" from Dunhill is fashioned in a stout Group 3 size, the cylindrical chamber offering plenty of capacity for favorite blends. The upright bowl sits atop a flattened heel that enables it to sit sturdily, while the straight shank-and-stem combination eases outward from a low-set transition. This piece is wearing a dark, formal color palette, thanks to the Shell Briar sandblast and jet-black saddle stem, reflecting the gentility equated with Dunhill pipes.

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 reserved palette and delightful texture, it's no surprise that it's still wildly popular over a century later.