Rad Davis Partially Sandblasted Poker (2008) (Unsmoked) Tobacco Pipe

Rad Davis learned the art of pipe making under the tutelage of his friend-turned-mentor and fellow American artisan, Mark Tinsky. Davis is now an accomplished artisan in his own right, and his portfolio encompasses a wide variety of styles, from Anglo-French classics to more gestural, Danish-style pieces.

This Poker from Davis is a strapping piece featuring a bold, forward-canted bowl paired to a round shank and a subtly curved cumberland stem. The bowl's thick, insulating walls take on a subtle flare as they rise toward the chamfered rim, which remains smooth for a subtle pop of contrast, showcasing a mesmerizing display of birdseye. The rest of the stummel wears a dark, smoky sandblast, offering plenty of tactile appeal for the hand to appreciate. A raised band of Ivorite-like material adorns the junction, adding another tasteful flash of contrast to the palette, and the cumberland stem tops it all off — its warm burgundy coloring pairing handsomely with the stummel's deep stain.