Dunhill: Ring Grain (3134) (2019) Tobacco Pipe

The bowl of this "34" straight Brandy features the gentle taper from the rim to the plump heel that defines the shape, balanced in profile by a rounded shank that extends from the neat transition at the bowl's base. Dunhill fashions the Brandy with a keen eye for precision and exacting proportionality, lending their renditions, such as this one, a refined, streamlined elegance. The oval shank is outpaced by a long stretch of tapered vulcanite, fitted via a slightly flaring military mount of black vulcanite. In Group 3 size, the piece maintains a subtle, lightweight disposition in hand, with plenty of room to drape a finger or two across the transition.

Having earned the English marque's prestigious Ring Grain designation, this Dunhill piece wears a particularly choice iteration of the Shell Briar sandblast — displaying stunning waves of ring grain across the stummel. 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.