Dunhill: Ring Grain (3110) (2021) Tobacco Pipe

Dunhill's "10" can take the shape of two different profiles, either a Bing's Favorite-style Billiard, or, in this case, a classic Liverpool. Presented in balanced Group 3 size, this pipe boasts the clean lines and measure proportions which Dunhill is known for, with a wide transition giving way to a sleek, cylindrical shank that's extended in its reach to a trim, tapering stem. This shank and stem combination do well to balance the presence of the bowl, with said bowl standing atop a rounded heel and offering a slight, comfortable bit of taper to the rim. The bottom of this pipe is slightly flattened, allowing this pipe to sit stably on a flat surface, and the stummel is dressed in the crisp sandblast of the Shell Briar series: the grain showcased earning it the coveted Ring Grain grade.

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.