Rusticated Tubos Tobacco Pipe

Tom Eltang is among the most influential artisans in modern-day pipe making. He began his craft at an early age, apprenticing under Anne Julie, then working for Pipe Dan before branching out on his own in 1980. These days, Tom produces some of the finest pipes available in addition to spreading his knowledge gained from 40+ years of carving to young up-and-comers in the industry.

The Tubos is probably Tom Eltang's quirkiest creation. Playfully proportioned by design, it's what Tom once called his "pipe-shaped" pipe. Indeed, the smart, 90 degree transition is similar to a steel pipe's elbow joint. Crafted with startling precision, this signature piece displays a rather trim, cylindrical bowl and far more muscular shank that houses a reverse Calabash's internal chamber designed to provide a cooler, drier smoke. What's even more unique here is the length: Most of the Tubos shapes we seen are Nosewarmers — barely more than four-inches long. This pipe measures closer to six, providing more surface area for the Danish artisan's signature dark, craggy rustication.

Accented by a smooth, contrast-stained rim that mirrors a fitment at the shank end, and topped by an abbreviated, hand-cut mouthpiece, this whimsically designed Tubos also sits, thanks to a flattened underside.