Davide Iafisco: Sandblasted Cherrywood with Ivorite Tobacco Pipe

Davide Iafisco's design principles are among the most artistically inclined as any in the world of pipe making, and I find this appropriate given his incredibly philosophical, almost spiritual approach to the medium, something which I both appreciate and empathize with. His start in this journey was sparked by an appreciation for classic, traditional shapes and the longstanding tradition of carving among the various Anglo-French marques, as well as the comparatively more recent rise in Italy's pipe making. Inspired along the way by the work of many modern artisans, Iafisco's own offerings became more Danish-inspired and organically inclined and certainly more strikingly stylized, something attested to by this Cherrywood.

The Cherrywood is an extremely uncommon shape from Davide Iafisco, and one we've only ever encountered once in the past. Comparatively, this piece is a far more angular, dynamic pipe that's imbued with a striking deal of forward momentum thanks to the impressive cant that the bowl takes on. This cant is all the result of the heel's own slanted build, achieving both this and an impeccable sitting position with ease, supporting the bowl's thick walls and blossoming flare toward a plateau-crowned rim. Despite the angular look of this piece, there's still plenty of comfortable real estate for the fingers to find purchase on, especially at the bowl's fore. The fore of the bowl features a touch of curvature from out of the heel, and its extended, uninterrupted length compared to the aft side means that several digits can appreciate its contours. Said aft side is home to a mid-set transition that angles the shank nearly vertically, its trim length tapering gently toward a flared accent of pale white Ivorite that's been recessed to accept the stem base. The flared end of this accent matches the firm expansion ring that marks the end of the stem base before the demurely bent cumberland falls into a flattened saddle bit. At more than two inches tall at the bowl, this pipe provides plenty of room to show off its stunning sandblast and deep ruby contrast stain, revealing growth rings cascading down the bowl's circumference, the cumberland stem matching the stummel's hues as the Ivorite provides vibrant contrast.