Doctor's: Sandblasted Pot with Bamboo and Boxwood (Double Flash) Tobacco Pipe

Roman Kovalev was a Neurosurgeon before becoming fascinated with making pipes, and attributes his inspiration to owning and studying many fine pipes before he ever attempted to make one of his own. His survey of the craft and ultra-steady hands proved to be a great foundation for craftsmanship, and he has since gained a worldwide following for his artisanal pipes called, appropriately, Doctor's Pipes. Bamboo is an oft-used accent material for his pieces, and he has a penchant for using particularly gnarly pieces like the compact four-knuckle, slightly ovoid section seen here, matching the briar and other accents to the character of the bamboo. In this case, a lighter accent of boxwood commends the shank face and the bamboo's nodes, continuing both the rippling nature of the bamboo and its oval cross section.

Of course, it wouldn't be a Doctor's pipe without some killer grain, and Roman has not disappointed on this Nosewarmer straight Pot, incorporating an elegant, low-profile sandblast to show off stunning ring grain around the bowl. It wears an earthy stain to amplify the organic aesthetic, while the inflated rim is polished smooth to display a wealth of mesmerizing birdseye. A svelte hand-cut vulcanite saddle stem completes the feather-light design, with fit, finish, and fine grain all working in concert to earn Kovalev's esteemed Double Flash grade.