Boasting decades of experience in the craft, Hans "Former" Nielsen has rightfully earned his place as one of the premier artisans in not just Denmark, but the world at large. He cut his teeth, for ten years, in the legendary W.Ø. Larsen workshop, where he oversaw and worked with the likes of Teddy Knudsen, Tonni Nielsen, and Jess Chonowitsch and during which he honed his sense for not just what was aesthetically pleasing about a particular piece, but how well it functioned and smoked. After leaving the Larsen workshop, Nielsen began making pipes under his own name, and his designs have influenced several generations of craftsman. His work showcases a penchant for sleek, minimalist lines, supple curves, and compact shapes, and this straight Apple perfectly exemplifies all of those traits.

A compact design, coming in at a hair over five inches in total length, this straight Apple pairs a pert, gently rounded bowl to a low-slung shank-and-stem arrangement. In classic Danish fashion, the bowl tapers subtly from the plump, supple heel towards the rim, while the cheeked transition accentuates the rounded qualities of the bowl and lends it a touch of definition within the overall composition. The bowl and shank are perfectly balanced in profile, and that balance can be felt in-hand, as the proportions are so perfectly distributed. The shank-and-stem arrangement offers sleek, subdued line work that keeps the design elegant and refined. The stummel wears a gorgeous, smoky smooth finish that showcases neat cross-cut graining, with the jet-black colour of the saddle stem perfectly complementing the earth tones of the stain. A sterling silver band accents the junction for a dose of regal flash that brightens the more subdued palette of the stummel and stem.

— Adam O'Neill