J. Alan Smooth Acorn with Bamboo (1757) (2021) (Unsmoked) Tobacco Pipe

Jeff Gracik learned pipe making from the likes of Todd Johnson, Tonni Nielsen, and Jody Davis. His desire to make the best pipe he possibly can has led him to make some incredibly unique smoking instruments over the years, including this Acorn.

Tight flame grain sprouts all the way around the bowl from a portion of birdseye dotting the heel, stretching upward to a plateau-topped rim. The bowl is squat and smoothly finished, then backed by a stub of briar shank before a two-knuckle length of bamboo takes over. The cream-colored bamboo stretches back to a vulcanite saddle stem. The piece is generous in length at 6.25 inches but still manages to come in below one-tenth of a pound, the bamboo making it substantial and light at the same time. Jeff's eye for grain allows the bowl plenty of visual intrigue, but the bamboo in particular makes this pipe almost playful in its nature and daring in its execution. It's a work of American craftsmanship not to be missed.