Dunhill: Shell Briar (5103) (2019) Tobacco Pipe

Considered by many to be the platonic ideal of the Billiard shape, Dunhill's "03" boasts the clean, sophisticated line work and well-balanced proportions for which the English marque is known. This particular "03" is presented in handy Group 5 size, and features a plump, full-bodied bowl that's posed at the fore of an arrow-straight shank-and-stem arrangement. Comfortable and natural in hand, this piece is dressed in the striking Shell Briar sandblast, which highlights a wealth of impressive grain throughout 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.