Ryan Alden: Sandblasted Bent Bulldog with Ivorite (Queen of Hearts) Tobacco Pipe

Ryan Alden is no slouch at dramatically creative Freehand shapes but, perhaps because I'm an old guy, I think his skills shine brightest when he renders a classic shape with his own stylistic modifications, like this large bent Bulldog. The bowl is its most prominent element, exceptionally sized and rising in geometric precision of taper and angle to the double beadlines two-thirds of the way up the bowl. From those beadlines, the taper inverts and narrows to the width of the tobacco chamber, which is deep in V-shape formation and with plenty of capacity.

The grain above the beadlines is sandblasted birdseye, evolving to near ring grain below, circling the bowl in a medium-deep texture and vertical grain visible through the growth rings. The conventional elements of the traditional Bulldog are likewise on display, particularly prominent in the diamond shank with its crisp ridgelines and geometric presence contrasting and supporting the tapering bowl. The ivorite accent is itself well grained with alternating streaks of light and dark harmonizing with the grain of the stummel. The saddle stem is abrupt and short, further adding visual weight to the bowl itself while providing the slightest of bends for assured comfort and balance.