Scott Thile: Sandblasted Lovat with Celluloid (281) Tobacco Pipe

Yes! This is what it's all about. Holding this Scott Thile Lovat has me grinning like flour beetle in a bakery pantry, and not simply because it is an adroitly carved, neo-classic form which could stand as an exemplar of the Danish Lovat. Backing up to Thursday last, SPC's pipe club got together, and Sykes gave an informal repeat of the presentation he was asked to give in Japan; a discussion/slide presentation which covered important aesthetic changes, and the way we look at pipes, from the early 1900s to present. The reason for my smile is that this Thile interpretation is a virtual (sandblasted) doppelganger of one of the Danish Lovats which appeared within the slides.

Roughly 5.5" x 2.0", with a gentle cupping of the heel, as well as a subtle preponderance of mass posted in the bottom third of the bowl, Scott executes a perfect juxtaposition between the shank and the same. Flawless, not only in the sense of a seamless transition, but in allowing just enough under travel to the former to create the subtlest of cheeking. Subtle is one of many "make or break" aspects at this level. No cheeking at all, on a Danish inspired Billiard, would take a bit of the all-critical rounding out of play. Too much travel/overly-prominent cheeks, and an odd sense of parody comes into play. Take a peek at the understated reduction of the shank, as it flows to meet the striking saddle bit, and, while you're at it, what do think about the stain and grain? It's great to see that you're grinning as well.

--R. 'Bear' Graves