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

Ryan Alden is a Texas-based pipe maker who often makes artisan interpretations of English classics, and this proud straight Billiard is an excellent example of his work. The bowl towers over two inches in height, canted slightly forward for traditional balanced and displaying a bit of rounding to its taper and cheeking at the transition not unlike Danish versions of the shape. The shank and stem are arrow-straight and proportionally balanced compared to the bowl, the elongated stretch of hand-cut vulcanite trailing aft with an elegant taper.

Ryan has oriented the briar in a cross-grain pattern here, and shaped perfectly to it to bring out blasted birdseye covering the right flank and accentuate ripples along the bowl's fore. A dark ruby stain commends the stimulating texture, unifying well with the black stem, while a gleaming silver band shows off Alden's skill with precious metals and provides a brilliant contrast. Plenty of chamber volume on offer here, ensuring a long, luxurious smoke so you have ample time to admire this handsome creation.