Ryan Alden: Sandblasted Bent Billiard with Ox Horn (King of Clubs) Tobacco Pipe

While Texas-based artisan Ryan Alden tends to craft pipes that emulate the shape-chart standards of the old Anglo-French marques, this bent Billiard is a bit of a departure from the carver's normal fare. This piece possesses features that bring to mind Danish renditions of the timeless shape, including a cheeked transition, a subtle curvature along the trim shank, and a bowl that tapers from the heel to the rim. The cheeking at the transition gives definition to the base of the bowl and draws attention to the aforementioned taper, while the shank curls gently upwards before giving to a saddle stem of jet-black vulcanite. The stummel wears a dark, earth-toned sandblast that accentuates the natural grain orientation of the briar and showcases crisp birdseye on either flank of the bowl. The rim is left smooth and stained a smoky color for touch of visual and tactile contrast. An accent of ox horn at the shank end really ties the whole design together, its shimmering hues adding a dose of color to the design that complements the complexion of the finish and mouthpiece. Stylish, unique, and eye-catching, this piece exudes a charm that can't help but entice.