Smooth Rhodesian (Four Hearts) Tobacco Pipe

Sleek and swift of stance, long and relaxed in its trailing lines, this is a Becker take on the bent Rhodesian we've seen several times. Here, however, he's pushed the shape farther than before: the profile is even lower, the shape, though still wide across the rim, is even lighter and trimmer in taper and other proportions, and the leading is, well, even more leading. Extreme as it may be, in hand he's still kept the shape comfortable — quite natural indeed either cradled or with thumb and forefinger wrapped at 45-degree angle up around the bead-line and resting upon the broad plane of the rim. Grain hasn't been sacrificed either: flame lines the flanks, and the birdseye above and below is copious.

- Eric N. Squires