American Estates: Scott Klein Sandblasted Bent Brandy with Horn (2016) Tobacco Pipe

Scott Klein's background lies in the trades, and not just one, as he has had his hand in the fields of plumbing, construction, automotive technology and others. After his education in these fields, he worked for six years in various other trades, before he was introduced to Alex Florov. Florov introduced him to the world of artisan pipe making and he was immediately enamored with the process, and, as it turns out, Florov saw potential in him, something that led to Klein's spending five years working alongside Alex, skipping the usual beginnings of pipe kits and delving into artisan carving with raw blocks and vulcanite blanks. His work of course is influenced by his time spent with Alex, but also by the Danish masters and the Japanese greats, something that's reflected by this bent Brandy. The broad-based, forward-canting bowl is resplendent with gentle curves as it tapers gradually to the rim from its broad base, its plump form proving to be quite voluptuous in hand. A wide transition is followed by an abbreviated, rather compressed shank, here extended by a generous section of pale horn shot through with inky streaks. A trim ring of brass is inlaid into the domed face of this horn extension, marrying the shank to a trim, demurely curved saddle stem whose base is adorned with a firm expansion ring. The compact, muscular form yet hints at the American school and is dressed in a crisp, darkly-stained sandblast, showing off stunning licks of visible flame grain around the bowl, as well as a pattern of dense, rippling ring grain.