Shell Briar (4114) (2016) Tobacco Pipe

Dunhill's "14" shape is a timeless bent Dublin, the gently arced tapered stem meeting an upturned shank, creating a sinuous recurve in concert with the sweeping heel. The proud bowl rises out of the heel with a decided flare, terminating at the rim's edge, the flat surface containing a chamber of surprising breadth. Presented here in a respectably hearty Group 4 size, this piece boasts plenty of substance in the hand, and a build that's well-suited to jaw-hanging, all while maintaining a reasonably light weight. Dressed in the inky sandblast of Dunhill's iconic Shell Briar finish, this pipe showcases plenty of 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.