Kai Nielsen: Smooth Rhodesian (Jewel of Denmark) (C) Tobacco Pipe

A second-generation Danish pipe maker, Kai Nielsen is the son of Viggo Nielsen, who helped found the marque Bari in 1948. Kai Nielsen often spent time around the workshop in his childhood, and began working there at 21 years of age. Over 50 years later, Kai Nielsen is still making pipes. Nielsen makes traditional shapes with a classic Danish style, evidenced by many of his pipe's gestural profiles and supple bowls. Few pipe makers have more experience than Kai Nielsen, and his lifelong skill is evident in each pipe he crafts.

This Rhodesian by Kai Nielsen possesses an arrow-straight shank-and-stem arrangement that is subtly cinched at the trim accent band where the shank and stem meet. The slightly cinched profile and the slim saddle stem gives the back end of this pipe a sleek, arcing curvature. The bowl is designed similarly, as the bowl forgoes the shape's traditional linear flare and embraces an understated gestural arc that echoes the Calabash shape. The high-set waistline does feature the Rhodesian's traditional beadlines, which offers a textural accent to the auburn smooth finish that dresses the stummel. The stummel highlights fine flame grain and birdseye throughout, with the straight grain on the left flank being particularly appealing.