Rad Davis Smooth Apple (2008) (Unsmoked) Tobacco Pipe

Rad Davis started smoking and collecting pipes as a college student in the 1970s, but it was a connection he made as a fly fishing guide that finally helped him become a pipe maker. Years ago, Rad reached out to American artisan Mark Tinsky for a pipe repair and traded flies with him when he found out Mark was a fly fisherman. After going back for another repair, Rad found that Mark had an address in Helena, Montana — the same city where Rad lived in the summer and worked as a guide. They met, and when Rad expressed interest in making a pipe, Mark gave him some kits and cut basic pipe shapes for him. Rad practiced making Freehands, and eventually started making pipes for sale, all made of Grecian briar just like Mark.

This Apple from Rad features a stout, well-rounded bowl decorated with alternating cross grain and birdseye. The rim is lightly sloped toward the chamber, and the entire stummel is stained a handsome light brown that greatly accentuates the grain and allows it to shine with considerable clarity. The shank is rather brief, yielding quickly to a lengthy vulcanite stem that bends lightly near the bit to give the pipe an intriguing silhouette. This pipe eclipses one-tenth of a pound despite the stem taking up the majority of the six-inch length, an indicator of just how substantial and muscular the bowl is.