Jody Davis Smooth Stemless Eskimo (Saint) (B22) (29) (2022) Tobacco Pipe

In addition to being one of the first pipe makers to bring the Danish carving style over to the States, renowned artisan Jody Davis is also known for his inventive stem work, having played a key role in popularizing split stems that feature one material seamlessly inlaid with another. It's no surprise, then, that his ingenuity would spur him to take things a step further with his signature stemless design, which is featured on this Eskimo. It's essentially a one-piece pipe, with a vulcanite bit embedded directly into the shank. This engineering adds a modern touch to the design, which Davis has imbued with a heightened sense of crispness and angularity.

Though it possesses all the hallmarks of the archetypal shape — a stout, shallow, subtly forward-canted bowl; and a broad, flat shape with a taper toward the bit — this iteration of the Eskimo takes on a style all its own thanks to the Bulldog-like, diamond configured ridgelines that frame the shank. A pair of precise, close-knit beadlines punctuate the waist of the squat bowl, adding some crispness to the fore of the composition as well. Dressed in a smooth, auburn finish, the briar showcases a plethora of grain so exceptional it has earned Davis' highest grade: the Saint.