Adam Davidson: Sandblasted Cavalier Tobacco Pipe

An impressive and ambitious shape from Adam Davidson, this piece hearkens back to old-school, Bavarian Cavalier designs that consisted of three separate pieces: stem, shank, and bowl, with all elements able to be broken down and removed from one another. The bowl itself resembles that of a Cutty, which on traditional Cavaliers were rendered from clay or porcelain. Here, though, Adam has fashioned it all from briar, both the bowl and shank portions dressed in a low-profile sandblast, with hints of plum peeking through the stain. It's a modern rendition of a vintage form, combining the iconic shape with the expert craftsmanship and modern finishing work of an expert artisan such as Adam.

As a fully functioning Cavalier, the vulcanite foot at the bottom is removable for draining accumulated moisture, and Davidson angled it perfectly to enable the piece to stand upright. My favorite aspect of this pipe, however, is in the drilling: All three junctions — at the stem, bowl, and foot cap — are drilled to the same diameter and are fitted with brass rings about the mortises, allowing each element to be switched with any other. It's not a practical benefit by any means, but it sure is fun to play around with unique combinations.