J. Alan: Partially Sandblasted Flying Fish (1120) Tobacco Pipe

We recently discussed the evolution of a new signature shape by Jeff Gracik. This new shape was coined the "Flying Fish," taking the poised stance and dynamic lines of his iconic Scorpion Fish and marrying them to the stout, muscular proportioning of his signature Lotus. As beautiful as that form was, make no mistake: Jeff isn't one to rest on his laurels. He's constantly evolving his forms, tweaking them, adding complexities until a new design emerges — each one playing on the last.

At first glance, then, you might see this "Flying Fish" as another rendition of this novel form, only executed in a (mostly) sandblasted finish. It is the extremely talented American artisan's latest rendition, of course, and it does wear a very lovely sandblast. But it's still very much an evolution on the previous example, with very conscious alterations made to the design.

First, the entire stance has shifted farther forward, with a more pronounced ridge along the fore of the bowl and the slightly elongated Davis-inspired tail featuring a more pronounced upward curve — in turn allowing the pipe to sit almost entirely vertical in resting position. Second, while the first Flying Fish was defined by its clean panels and ridges, this sandblasted version softens those panels by creating a more organic (less architectural) contrast between the various ridges. Much of this organic contrast is realized through the addition of paired, contrasting surfaces running along the underside of the shank: one smooth-polished and adorned in crossgrain, the other of craggy, very pronounced plateau. Together, they make for an organic, yet very sharp silhouette — lending the profile a more naturalistic dynamism.

It's not merely a sandblasted rendition of the Flying Fish, you see. All of these small additions and tweaks have pushed the form even further along its evolutionary timeline. And, frankly, I can't wait to see what comes next.

- Andrew Wike