Just got this today. I'm not sure just exactly why I like the bent pipe designs but that's what feels good in my hand. It's a pretty clean Charles Fairmorn 585 made in Denmark which may tell you experts something but all I know is it's purty and it's tight and the bowl will hold several hefty pinches of my favorite smoke. Imma gonna try 'er out shortly.
Happy to report my first pipe...that new G&D made in France briar (that I never did find any info about on the web) is smoking like a champ now. It's all trial & error and paying attention to those in the know. I've gathered a few barrel pipes and a few estates off the shopgoodwill site a month or so back and the collection is off & running...like I need more collections.