Ryan Alden: Sandblasted Bent Dublin (King of Clubs) Tobacco Pipe

Ryan Alden doesn't always stray from the classic English pipe chart, but when he does, it's most often in the form of a flourishing, organically-inclined bent Dublin. That just so happens to be exactly what we have here. First impressions first: I was immediately struck by how lightweight this piece is. Though boasting a handful of briar at the bowl, thick insulating walls, and a decently stout shank, the whole pipe weighs less than 45 grams, no doubt thanks to the use of a slender saddle stem and Alden's dedication to high-quality, well-cured briar. Such a light weight, combined with the mouthpiece's lithe downward curl, surely makes for a pipe that's as comfortable when clenched as it is held. Shape-wise, the smooth, underlying curve and languid S-curve are contrasted by the sudden transition — the bowl flaring dramatically into a generous crown of craggy plateau, with the innermost section of the rim left handsomely smooth. Of particular note is the sandblasted finish; I've always admired Ryan's blasts, but this one is on another level as ripples of grain intersect with vertical streaks for a sublime texture in hand.