Michael Parks: Sandblasted LB Billiard (Leaf) Tobacco Pipe

Canadian carver Michael Parks contributes a diverse shaping style to the pipe-making community, known for his exacting renditions of classic shapes as well as bold, palm-filling Freehand designs. He's incredibly organized and meticulous in his craft, spending hours perfecting the dimensions and internal properties of his pipes, and such dedication has earned him a loyal, worldwide following, with collectors lauding his work for their stunning aesthetic character and superlative smoking characteristics. Moreover, his sandblasted finishes are particularly prized, and this Billiard rendition testifies to that renown and to Michael's handling of iconic classic designs.

Specifically, this straight Billiard is modeled after Dunhill's celebrated "LB" shape. The distinguished English marque introduced the design shortly after WWI, denoting a Large Billiard. It quickly became one of Dunhill's most popular and collected shapes, with discerning pipe smokers still looking to acquire vintage examples, and as a shape, it's marked by an overt sense of muscularity through the shank and bowl — the latter often displaying a more Apple-like roundness than typically seen on the more standard, upright Billiard.

This Parks rendition stays true to the "LB" shape's storied profile, pairing a muscular bowl to an equally hearty shank that's then reduced by the tapered stem. Proportionally, this pipe excels in cohesive balance and harmony despite the increased relative proportions: The bowl's height is matched by the shank's length, and the stem matches the stummel's length from heel to shank end, contributing a perfectly balanced and aesthetically pleasing profile. Elevated by Michael's reputed sandblasting, the stummel delights with craggy grain in cross-grain orientation, while the inner rim is left smooth for contrast and to match the trim ring at the shank end. A ruddy contrast stain highlights the grain's relief, and it maintains the brown and auburn striations of the cumberland stem, calling to mind Dunhill's Cumberland series — the perfect finish for such a celebration of The White Spot's "LB" Billiard.