Scott Klein: Smooth Bent Brandy Tobacco Pipe

Along the flanks, fore, and aft, the grain here certainly isn't bad: a nice mix of flame, fiery 3/4, and a little bit of birdseye creeping in at the edges. The real prize however is at the underside, where it becomes apparent why the birdseye is spilling over elsewhere: there's no room left for any more down there. It's packed, a full house, and then some — the last time I saw a joint that densely occupied, they had the doorman on lookout for the local fire-code inspector, so they could start shooing people out the back door if he happened to show up. Oh, and yes, it's very nice in hand too, and despite sporting no flat panel underneath, sits very well.

- Eric N. Squires