Scott Thile: Sandblasted Bent Dublin with Bamboo (FH) (366) Tobacco Pipe

The rich, smouldering contrast stain, the gorgeous display of concentric ring grain, the deft handling of the bamboo shank extension, the carefully crafted mouthpiece... all these elements are quite impressive on their own right, but there's one minute detail that captured me most in this particular bent Dublin from Scott Thile: the spur just below the transition.

Though perhaps not obvious at first glance, this spur isn't a mere stylistic flourish or an attempt at realizing a jaunty silhouette; it serves an integral role in the design's overall composition. This subtle spur completes the rhythm of the bamboo shank, you see, acting as a final terminus for the evenly spaced knuckles. Continuing that momentum into the bowl in such a manner actually works to transform the bamboo ferrule itself from an accent to a compositionally vital element — propelling the eye, through the knuckles, to the upward sweeping bowl. And of course, to all that aforementioned ring grain. Great piece.

- Andrew Wike