Ryan Alden: Sandblasted Tomato (King of Clubs) Tobacco Pipe

Chubby and compact, this is an affable take on the Tomato from Ryan Alden. It's a shape we don't often see from Alden, but it fits in well with the American artisan's plump, well-rounded aesthetic. A rather squat rendition here, the bowl hints at Rhodesian in how the waistline extends out firmly, resulting in a noticeable taper above. Below, the heel is curvaceous, a consistent curve from the defined waistline back to the flared shank-end. The shank-end also flares when viewed from an aerial perspective to emphasize a fair amount of cheeking at the trim transition. Overall, it's a fairly reserved piece, catering Ryan's more introverted style. It feels sublime in hand and boasts a well-executed sandblast beneath a deep, ruby stain, accented by a polished rim and the negative space achieved by the the disc-like saddle stem.