Smooth Oom Paul with Black Palm Tobacco Pipe

The Oom Paul is a classic pipe shape, renowned and widely enjoyed for being an easy jaw-hanger. Here, artisan Silver Gray has put a touch of her own shaping style into the traditional form, its tapered bowl exuding a softness that is reinforced by the soft turn of the stem. That the chamber is deep should go without saying, and the display of flame grain on both bowl and shank is choice — particularly when highlighted by a warm contrast stain. It's been topped with a wide band of black palm. The dark, striated grain patterns meld with both the stummel's warm tones and the jet-black mouthpiece to create a cohesive palette, which does not jar, but flows easily from one color to the next.

- Rachel DuBose