Yeti: Smooth Cavalier Blowfish with Boxwood and Bakelite Tobacco Pipe

Micah "Yeti" Cryder's entry into the 2020 American Pipe Making Exposition is this stunning hybrid design combining the Cavalier and Blowfish shapes. Upon hearing that influences was the theme, Micah immediately thought of this form as he's deeply fond of it, specifically the renditions crafted by Hiroyuki Tokutomi and Todd Johnson. Cryder has never crafted one before, though he's always wanted to explore the shape himself, and found the perfect reason with this year's American Exposition. For Micah, the Blowfish Cavalier has "always represented and embodied the artistry and freedom of form which first drew me into pipe making." Looking at the final product presented here, it's hard to deny the creativity behind fashioning a rendition that simultaneously pays homage to a carver's influences while still representing the artisan's own personal style.

This piece combines Todd's streamlined approach to the shape with the intricate facets and subtle asymmetry of Tokutomi's versions. It does well to exemplify the design cues frequently seen throughout Yeti's portfolio, merging hearty, compact proportions with a vivid, modern color palette. Though the entire piece measures just over five inches in length, the bowl is proportionally large and robust, offering a substantial feel in hand. The bowl's ridgelines are shaped to give prominence to the bulging flanks and helps maximize the gorgeous grain displayed around the stummel. Hypnotic patterns of birdseye populate the flanks while streaks of horizontal grain run along the paneled fore and aft. A dark, smoky walnut contrast stain accentuates the grain, allowing the colorful accents to truly pop out.

This piece also continues Micah's penchant for vibrant color palettes, especially his signature use of Bakelite which is known for its unique, colorful patterns, and has seen a resurgence across artisan pipe making over recent years. This piece is book-ended by Bakelite, having been used for the upward-kicking stem as well as the protruding heel cap that's affixed to the shank. A boxwood ring then adorns the shank end, its pale coloration offering further visual contrast against the stummel's stain and the cobalt blue hue of the bakelite. Micah says that he's excited to explore the form further in the future, and we certainly can't wait to see the results.