Dunhill: Shell Briar (5120) (2019) Tobacco Pipe

Similar to the "22" Poker, Dunhill's "20" Cherrywood pairs a sure-sitting, cylindrical bowl to a low-set transition, with the primary difference being the addition of a gently bent stem. Such a design cue is reminiscent of the elegantly downturned stem of the Prince shape and serves to offer a greater sense of balance when clenched. It's found here in Group 5 proportions with the bowl displaying a hint of forward cant, and it's all dressed in the rugged texture of Dunhill's Shell Briar finish.

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.