Peterson: Christmas 2023 Sandblasted (306) Fishtail Tobacco Pipe

Bent pipes, while offering a comfortably clenched smoking posture, aren't often as convenient for setting down when need arises. Peterson solves that dichotomy in their "306" bent Billiard, originally introduced back in 1992. Featuring a generous bend and flattened heel, the "306" affords the benefits of a bent pipe as well as that of Poker — allowing the pipe to sit upright on a flat surface. Shape-wise, it resembles the bold form of an Oom Paul and exemplifies the Irish marque's muscular approach to shaping, making for quite the versatile pipe in signature Peterson style.

Peterson's Christmas Pipes have been an annual tradition since 2009, the Irish marque dressing a selection of their iconic shapes in appropriately festive fashion. In recent years, Peterson has accented this series with copper, though for 2023, they showcase the skill of their silversmiths by accenting the pipes with broad bands of intricately etched silver. These silver bands feature inset beadlines around the Peterson logo and provide a wealth of contrast against the stummel's finish. In addition to the fine display of silverwork, these pipes exhibit Peterson's talent in the blasting cabinet by dressing the stummel in a craggy sandblast that's been stained a deep, rich red: evocative of some of the earliest sandblasts to appear in the pipe world. What results is a finish that is utterly timeless, reminiscent of pipes crafted in the early 20th century and embodying an elegant character that's endlessly charming.