Ryan Alden: Sandblasted Nosewarmer Bent Apple (Queen of Hearts) Tobacco Pipe

Ryan Alden excels at compact, classic shapes, and typically brings to them heartier proportions in the American/Industrial vein. This smoothly curved Apple is short and compressed in length, but with all the character of a larger pipe. There's some upward curvature to the shank, even as abbreviated as it is, and Ryan's choice of a ruby-tinged sandblast beautifully matches the cumberland stem, especially when combined with the contrasted texture of the smooth rim. Cheeking at the transition is well executed, maintaining the bowl's rounded shape even where the shank meets it. With just the slightest of bends for comfortable smoking, and a higher waistline that brings the piece an almost Acorn-like character, this nosewarmer offers a comforting shape, excellent sandblasting, and an easy-to-carry footprint.