Essentially an artful, sculpted take on the Oom Paul, the Ramses is a shape originally designed by the legendary Swedish carver Bo Nordh. Perhaps one of the most iconic shapes of all time, it's a notoriously difficult form to execute, requiring both a block suited for its unique grain orientation and a craftsmen talented and patient enough to drill the deeply bent shape and coax the absolute best out of the grain. Like the Elephant's Foot, also pioneered by Nordh, the Ramses has become a staple within artisan pipemaking — especially among Danish carvers — with Peter Heding presenting his own striking interpretation here.

From the curling, flattened region at the aft, a bulbous bowl seems to sprout from the shape itself, resulting in broad flanks perfect for displaying the licks of fiery flame grain surrounding it. And as for birdseye, well there's no shortage of it here, practically covering the entirety of the fore, and literally covering the entirety of the underside. Truly spectacular work from the Danish artisan and certainly deserving of its prestigious Diamond designation, Heding's highest grade — marked by a cubic zirconia along the underside.

— Adam M. O'Neill