Kai Nielsen: Smooth Apple (Jewel of Denmark) (B) Tobacco Pipe

A prolific Danish artisan, Kai Nielsen spent his teenage years working for his father, Viggo Nielsen, at the Bari pipe factory which Viggo founded. His early start in the pipe-making world saw him working there full-time when he turned 21, his wealth of experience helping him toward the founding of his own brand. This straight Apple is one of his coveted Jewel of Denmark pipes, representing the best of his work, and is a grade "B," behind only an "A." This is also a remarkably compact piece, measuring just over four and a half inches in length and keeping its weight quite light. Despite this lightness, there's still plenty of substance to appreciate in the bowl, with the ample contours of the Apple shape well represented here in the form of plump walls and a low-set waistline. A subtle taper to the rim keeps the outline looking soft, and a wide transition leads the eye to a sleek, subtly diminishing shank that meets a junction marked by a light accent band. As a Jewel of Denmark, this pipe displays some lovely grain, all beneath a warm, auburn-hued stain.