I have to admit that I am utterly stunned, as well as smitten, by this stellar Davidson horn. When I first saw it, from the top and direct side view, I assumed a Tsuge Ikebana F Grade, the shaping is so utterly Nihon in inspiration. When I flipped the pipe over, I caught myself holding my breath. The impeccable, and highly difficult, placement of plateau on this horn is still very "Japanese" but not Tsuge... Tokutomi. Wearing a quietly elegant robe of cross cut grain on the sides and a wispy birdseye on the top and bottom panels, this superlative piece is outfitted with a delightfully wide bit that was crafted from 50mm German Ebonite rod stock. The "business end" of the pipe is deliciously thin and should feel like no more than a phantom while enjoying a bowl. Bravo!
--Bear Graves
