Dunhill: Shell Briar with Silver (4104) (2018) Tobacco Pipe

The core aspects of this piece from Dunhill are that of the English marque's "04" Bulldog shape. The classic lines of a tapered, ridgelined bowl and crisp, diamond shank feel right at home on the shape chart. A craggy Shell Briar finish offers much for the eye to appreciate and finger pads to explore, working in concert with a tapered vulcanite stem and handsome silver band at the junction to exude a rugged dress pipe aesthetic. In Group 4 size, it offers perhaps the perfect combination of weight, chamber volume and overall dimensions, a classically-inclined English classic that will be hard to pass up.

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.