Ryan Alden: Sandblasted Billiard with Silver (King of Clubs) Tobacco Pipe

This is a nosewarmer with all the chamber volume of a traditionally sized pipe, and in the eminently traditional Billiard shape. Ryan Alden can make classics, that's for sure, and the modifications he introduces are always fun to experience. A subdued and dusky reddish stain matches the hues of the cumberland stem on the other side of the bright sterling silver fitment. The rim is a combination of smooth and sandblast, and the grain climbing the bowl is nothing short of breathtaking. It's a medium-deep blast, wonderfully tactile in hand, with consistent ring grain fully surrounding the bowl. The shank and stem combination are reduced from standard proportions, leading the eye to the bowl where all the interesting action takes place. An easily pocketable pipe because of its diminutive size, it will break down even smaller thanks to the army mount, even when hot. It's all unified by Ryan's sophisticated engineering for an artisan pipe that won't make your bank account implode.