Dunhill: Shell Briar (5104) (2019) Tobacco Pipe

This "04" Bulldog from Dunhill pairs a stocky, Group 5-sized bowl to a low-set shank-and-stem arrangement. A crisp ridgeline rests at the bowl's midsection, separating the upwards taper toward the rim from the downwards taper to the firm, structural heel. The abbreviated diamond shank is extended by a military mount, which is fitted to a tapered, push-style stem. The dark Shell Briar sandblast dresses the stummel, accentuating the natural grain orientation of the briar and coaxing out some rippling waves of growth rings on one flank of the bowl.

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.