60th Anniversary Sandblasted Paneled Billiard with Horn Tobacco Pipe

A paneled Billiard may not seem special, because there are a significant number of interpretations, but when the shape is seen as it should be made, by an artisan with 60 years of experience, you start to see the details involved in making one right. A Billiard is a difficult shape to begin with, but one with panels multiplies the complexity. I wonder if Former didn't choose this shape just to show off his substantial skills.

Hans "Former" Neilsen built those skills by working with Poul Rasmussen from the age of 15 and later supervising quality control at the W.Ø. Larsen workshop, where he supervised just about every famous Danish carver as they made their ways to their own careers through working at Larsen.

The grain of this particular 60th anniversary pipe is in cross grain orientation, with the hexagonal rim gently rounded and smooth. Each panel is precise on the bowl, and the shank itself has six panels as well, all as mathematically precise as the others, including the wonderful horn fitment at the end of the shank, which maintains the paneling until gently rounding and introducing the push-style tapered mouthpiece. It's a light, efficient, beautiful smoking machine, the combination of all of Former's strongest skills as a carver, and a wonderful shape for celebrating 60 years of pipemaking experience.