Dunhill: Ring Grain (3104) (2021) Tobacco Pipe

This pert Bulldog from Dunhill is rendered in slender Group 3 scale and classic style. Consistent with Dunhill's emphasis on expertly executed traditional shapes, this Bulldog maintains the characteristic balance of the English style, with an even ratio between the bowl and shank, and a stem that matches the length of the stummel. This piece forgoes the usual beadlines that delineate the tapering rim from the rest of the bowl, instead, the natural ring grain serves that purpose, gracefully accentuating the taper on its own. Lithe and sleek, this pipe is light enough to clench, but stout enough to have a reassuring presence in hand. Stamped "Ring Grain" to denote its particularly excellent grain patterns, this Shell Briar will make a pleasing addition to any Dunhill aficionado's collection.

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.