Smooth Bent Bulldog Tobacco Pipe

Having spent over 60 years mastering his craft and building a venerable reputation, it's safe to say that Hans "Former" Nielsen is one of the greatest artisan pipe makers of our time. Former entered the world of pipe making at just 15, starting out in Poul Rasmussen's workshop and quickly honing his eye for detail and fine craftsmanship. Later, he worked as a supervisor for the W.Ø. Larsen workshop before eventually establishing his own. Today, he crafts stunning pipes that delight not only the eye with their masterful shaping and finish work, but also the palate and the nerves with their excellent smoking qualities.

The Bulldog isn't a terribly common shape within Former's portfolio, and the bent Bulldog even less so, making this offering a rather exciting find for connoisseurs of his work. Not only is it refreshing to see this shape make an appearance in the artisan's portfolio; it's also a refreshing take on the classic shape altogether. This is an exceptionally well-balanced interpretation, featuring a sizable bowl that tapers and melds seamlessly into the diamond shank. The shank itself tapers steadily as it curves upward slightly, its flanks framed by crisp ridgelines and its length bisected by softer, subtler ridgelines that maintain a nice sense of fluidity in profile. A slender, short-shouldered saddle stem tops off the composition, offering a comfortable smoking posture with its graceful bend.

The quality of this Bulldog's grain, as well as the skill employed to read it, are as impressive as ever. Stunning flame grain emanates from the heel of the bowl, stopping at the double-beadlined waist, where swirling birdseye takes over, as well as alternating around the panels of the diamond shank and adorning the entire underside of the stummel. These mesmerizing patterns are all emphasized by a smooth, contrast-rich, chestnut finish: an excellent choice to maximize both the distinct shaping of the briar and its impressive grain.