Rinaldo: Egea Freehand (Y) (Megas) Tobacco Pipe

Elio and Guidi Rinaldo began crafting pipes as teenagers for Mastro de Paja, before going into business for themselves. Elio and Guidi are the only carvers at Rinaldo, and they produce pipes of stellar quality at an astonishing rate. This Freehand by Rinaldo is a member of the Megas series, which is reserved for Rinaldo's largest briars, something this piece's nearly half pound of weight and over seven inches of length can attest to. Out front, the Acorn-esque bowl flares from a plump heel to an inflated rim that showcases a drooping fore and bulging flanks, the asymmetric design imbuing this Freehand with some supple softness. In contrast, the aft offers an architectural flourish, with a crisp, wrapping ridgeline arcing upward to the rim and then descending down to the flanks of the pentagonal shank. Furthermore, said shank rises to a sleek acrylic stem, its jet-black hues pairing well with the inky rustication that dresses the stummel in a craggy texture and the ruby-hued smooth finish on the rim and shank end.