American Estates: Steve Morrisette Smooth Dublin (2018) Tobacco Pipe

Like many pipe-makers, Steve Morrisette started out as an avid hobbyist, collecting pipes from famous artisans such as Teddy Knudsen, Jess Chonowitsch, and Cornelius Mánz. Already possessed of an sharp aesthetic eye, Morrisette endeavored into the world of pipe making, starting out with shaping a few pre-bored blocks. However, he took his craft to the next level after a chance meeting with Jeff Gracik of J. Alan pipes at the Chicago Pipe Show. Gracik gave Morrisette a few pointers in his workshop, and Morrisette improved further by learning from other great American pipe-makers such as Todd Johnson and Brad Pohlmann. Morrisette strives to create pipes that are as functional as they are beautiful, with his designs ranging from shape-chart standards to inventive Freehands with creative finishes.

This Dublin by Steve Morrisette possesses a dramatically forward-canted bowl, its flared walls sweeping upward to a subtly asymmetrical rim that encircles a capacious chamber. Out back, a petite shank emerges from the transition before quickly giving way to a hardwood accent that flares to the cumberland stem. The sweeping curvature and flared walls of this piece result in a dynamic composition, which is further aided by the demure downturn of the saddle stem, making this piece quite active and jaunty in profile. Additionally, the stummel is dressed in a chestnut smooth finish, highlighting flame grain on the bowl's walls and tightly-packed birdseye on the rim.