American Estates: Nathan Armentrout Sandblasted Bent Pot (Unsmoked) Tobacco Pipe

Californian artisan Nathan Armentrout carves pipes inspired by the Danish tradition of pipe making, with further inspiration taken from the Japanese school, though this bent Pot showcases a thoroughly Italian silhouette. Immediately reminiscent of Castello's "55" shape, this pipe showcases an angular outline, with a sharp, pronounced heel and sleekly tapering shank and stem combination. The angle of the heel works in concert with the shank and stem to create a starkly aerodynamic presence that holds one's attention well. Despite being quite sleek, the shank and stem nicely balance the presence of the bowl thanks to the stem's unique material, offering a pale palette with wavering striations and crosshatching, similar to Ivorite or Juma. The pronounced heel up front supports the bowl well, drawing the eye to the fore naturally and along the aft-side combination, and it bolsters the presence of thick, hearty walls as they rise to a domed rim. Dressed in an inky sandblast, the stummel displays rippling growth rings throughout, striated occasionally by visible streaks of flame grain.