Dunhill: Ruby Bark (3204) (2021) Tobacco Pipe

A light weight and compact rendition of the straight Bulldog shape, even given its Group 4 size designation, this "04" from Dunhill possesses a stout, muscular bowl with the form's characteristic ridgeline set just below the tapered rim. Below the aforementioned ridgeline, the bowl tapers downwards toward the firm, architectural heel. The heel's crisp lines are mirrored by the pronounced lines of the diamond shank that extends from the low-slung transition before giving way to a saddle stem of jet-black vulcanite. The junction features a sterling silver accent that adds a dose of flash to the composition, while the stummel wears the stunning Ruby Bark sandblasted finish.

Dunhill's Ruby Bark finish is one that's gone through a fairly extensive evolution since its inception in 1972. It began as the Redbark and has always remained a red-stained sandblast, but the color was brightened a few years after its introduction before Dunhill returned to the original, darker hue in 1976. Eventually, though, the Redbark was discontinued in 1987. After a hiatus of several decades, the same ruby-stained sandblast was reimagined in the form of today's Ruby Bark finish, adding to the rich aesthetic crisp accents of sterling silver for a colorful presentation that still retains a high level of formality.