Michael Parks: Sandblasted Bent Billiard with Buffalo Horn (VI.HO.21) Tobacco Pipe

Canadian carver Michael Parks modernizes and elevates classic pipe-chart standards through his intricate shaping style, masterful sandblasted finishes, and keen eye for artistic flourishes. Not one to simply rely on the sheer aesthetics, Parks' pipes are also superbly engineered, designed to be refined smoking instruments that are as beautiful inside as they are on the outside.

This bent Billiard is easily recognizable as the Canadian artisan's work: the deep, penetrating sandblast and absolutely stunning ring grain around the circumference of the bowl being a dead give away. Dressed in a dark, inky stain, the stummel takes on a bold, craggy texture that's a sensory delight for the fingers as well as the eyes. The shadowy complexion of the stummel continues along the accent of buffalo horn and the gentle arc of the vulcanite mouthpiece, making for a distinctive profile that's at once cohesive and distinctive.

Shape-wise, this piece is fairly traditional, pairing a tall, stocky bowl to a curling shank and a lengthy tapered stem. The bowl possesses a touch of extra heft at the heel, lending the overall design a sense of muscularity and a full-bodied presence in hand. The sweeping heel and tight-knit transition keep the pipe fluid and streamlined, the shank angling upwards and carrying momentum into the tapered stem's arc. The thick insulating walls house a good bit of chamber capacity, which should ensure plenty of long, relaxing smoking sessions. This is a bold design that's sure to be a welcome addition to any collector's rotation, and a favorite at that.