Scott Thile: Smooth Bent Dublin Sitter (FH) (276) Tobacco Pipe

This handsome handful popped up on my screen titled as you see it, and I took exception - I mean it's a Cherrywood, am I right? Still, I choose my battles wisely - like what toppings we get on the company pizza - and being able to offer this Scott Thile sitter to our collectors far outweighed any minutiae, such as titling (but it's STILL a Cherrywood!). This is the second such interpretation we have received from Scott, the first was included in his debut back in October. I made no secret of my fondness for the first, but the bent Dubwood now before you is the superior of the two.

Crowned with a gently domed ellipsis that presents more wood to the fore than aft, the rim and heel are the only real "edge" elements that Scott elected to counterpoise against the comforting sense of soft liquidity which pervades throughout the form. "Soft" might seem an odd modifier, with such amazing bevels in play on the shank and mount but, thanks to an adroit, ever-so-slight rounding of the planes of the same, the edges which (naturally) result from the 90 degree transitions, convey a sense of suppleness. Balanced, in both the compositional as well as in the physical sense, as well as beautiful; we have another winner from Mr. Thile.

--R. 'Bear' Graves