Sandblasted 'Merican Kiseru with Bamboo (734) Tobacco Pipe

Bill Shalosky is an American artisan with a deft understanding of shaping, having spent years making pieces for Smoker's Haven, Chheda Pipes, and BriarWorks. In terms of influence, Shalosky points to "every pipe ever made," whether factory-made or artisan-crafted, and that wide range of influence can be felt in this 'Merican Kiseru. Dating back to 16th century Japan, Kiserus were historically made from brass or silver, and sometimes featured bamboo shank extensions. This 'Merican Kiseru takes inspiration from the traditional design but renders the form with a pronounced musculature. Such shaping lends the composition almost nine inches of length and a bowl over two inches tall. Said bowl houses a capacious chamber within its thick-walled frame, ensuring plenty of long, leisurely smoking sessions. A low-set transition follows the bowl and marks the start of a trim shank extended by four knuckles of bamboo. The dense grass adds a pop of warm color to the composition, offsetting the dark complexion of the stummel and stem. A rugged sandblast completes the ensemble and draws out tight growth rings around the bowl.