Ikebana Smooth Bent Cross Grain with Bamboo (E) Tobacco Pipe

The Ikebana pipes are often likened to jewels (odd, given that the name alludes to flowers) and this smaller "E" grade does, indeed leave one with the impression of gazing at the exquisite. "Cross Grains" are pipes that have some blowfish-like bevel work and pretty panels, but differ enough from the fugu that one can't really go "there". True to the shape's name, there is a lot of sweet cross cut grain to be seen on the defining center bevel, and the field of birdseye on the right of the bowl is pure heaven. A bowl like this needs a long, wraith like shank and bit to complement and balance. Two knuckles of bamboo and a delicate saddle bit do the trick quite nicely, don't you think?

--Bear Graves