Dunhill: Shell Briar (5217) (2024) Tobacco Pipe

The Bulldog is a classic shape, of that there is no doubt, with a distinctly muscular design that focuses the attention on the bowl. Dunhill has here rendered that shape in an interesting way with this "17," featuring muscular shaping cues and a powerful squatness. The stem is a diamond-shaped saddle of jet-black vulcanite whose base is lined with a quartet of firm ridgelines, informing the shape of the shank, a stout stretch of briar that transitions smoothly into the bowl. The bowl itself is incredibly squat, resting on a ridged heel and featuring a single ridgeline that denotes a taper toward the rim. This particular Group 5 offering is dressed in the crisp, inky sandblast of the Shell Briar line, showcasing handsome 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.