Adam Davidson: Partially Sandblasted Volcano Tobacco Pipe

A graduate of Purdue university with a degree in industrial design, Adam Davidson is the chief evaluator and restorer of our estate pipes, meaning that he has likely come into physical contact with more pipes in his lifetime than I will ever see in mine. He's essentially the backbone of our estates department, and, aside from that, he's also an immensely talented artisan in his own right, having received tutelage from Todd Johnson who imbued within him his meticulous approach to carving. Limiting his annual production to around 75 examples per year, he leverages this surgical approach in concert with his degree to craft some extremely unique pipes, such as this Volcano, a shape we haven't seen a new instance of since 2013.

It features an extended, oblong trapezoid shape of the shank, and this continues through in the stance of the pipe itself, the entire stummel taking on a distinct forward urge. The transition here is quite pinched, acting like a briar bridge to the bowl and placing the expanse of shank quite close to the aft wall, its shaping mirroring that of the bowl for a two-part motif. The stem is a rather lengthy stylized saddle of black vulcanite that presses into the face of the shank for easy removal and curves just a touch for some added dynamic shaping, as well as a more comfortable smoking posture. The bowl itself sits on a broad base that presses out from its flat edges as it reaches toward the middle, lifting the bowl proper to greater heights, but still allowing it to sit despite its domed shape. Said bowl then takes on a sleek taper to its rim, staying straighter at the fore than the aft to enhance the sense of forward momentum it carries through its leaning stance. The rim slopes inward to allow for easy loading of tobacco, and is finished smooth, matching the shank face and contrasting the dark auburn sandblast of the rest of the stummel, its textural surfaces displaying superb ring grain.