Tonni Nielsen: Smooth Bent Billiard Tobacco Pipe

Tonni Nielsen's pipe making career began when he started at W.Ø. Larsen at just 16 years old, and soon after, was afforded the opportunity to work alongside legendary carvers like Hans "Former" Nielsen and Teddy Knudsen, eventually venturing out on his own in 1978. Tonni's approach to shape chart standards leans heavily into the classic Danish pipe making approach and frequently yields beautiful results such as this elegantly bent Billiard.

From the bowl's supple shaping, to the cheeking around the transition, and the way the bowl subtly tapers from its plump, low-set waistline up toward the rim, this piece is steeped in the Danish tradition. The line work is graceful throughout, serving to accentuate the bowl's visual presence while the stem's bend is impressively subtle, almost barely perceptible until it's closely examined in profile. And with the stummel's stunning contrast stain and all the gorgeous grain it illuminates, this is a pipe you'll find yourself admiring regularly. It's also impressively lightweight, providing a comfortable hands free smoking experience while bowl's voluptuous shaping offers a pleasant in hand feel.