Tsuge: 'The Billiard' Smooth Billiard Tobacco Pipe

This is truly the archetypal Billiard as presented by Japanese marque Tsuge, so much so that they have chosen to name it as such: "The Billiard". The bowl here is firm and upright, with the faintest hint of a flare toward its midsection, and stands proudly on a firm heel, fostering a palpable muscularity that is magnified by its fairly large size. At the transition there is a subtle cheeking before the stem begins to flow, itself possessed of a gentle taper toward its end, with the junction point marked by a brass hued ring. The stem, likewise, is a sleek taper, and works in concert with the shank to keep the aft of this piece quite sleek, the metal ring offering a bit of structure. Dressing the briar here is a warm, matte, mahogany stain that reveals some lovely grain, its hues contrasted by the metal fitment and black stem.