Askwith: Sandblasted Morta Rhodesian with Horn Tobacco Pipe

Chris Askwith was originally trained as a silversmith, but he began his pipe making journey in 2006, when he first started smoking a pipe as a hobby. He eventually found that he could utilize the tools from his silversmithing trade to repair estate pipes, widening the variety of smoking instruments he could try. In 2007, Askwith joined a pipe club and met Paul Hubartt, the man behind Larrysson pipes. Hubartt lent Askwith some of his specialized tools, and from there, Askwith Pipes was born. Askwith's work showcases a penchant for vibrant, modernized renditions of shape-chart standards, with a particular affinity for morta, colorful stems, and gorgeous finishes — as evidenced by this Rhodesian.

A demure and lightweight rendition of the classic shape, this Rhodesian sees a pert dollop of bowl paired to an arrow-straight shank-and-stem arrangement, resulting in a streamlined profile that's well-balanced and eye-catching. As is typical for the form, a crisp ridgeline wraps around the bowl's broad waistline, demarcating the heel's upward flare from the rim's gentle taper. Instead of traditional briar, the stummel is fashioned from morta, a petrified bog oak that's prized for its mesmerizing grain patterns and flavor-neutral smoking properties. Here, Askwith has treated the morta to a crisp sandblast, which unveils hypnotic grain throughout the stummel. Acting as a bridge between the shadowy stummel and the reserved cumberland stem, a horn accent adorns the junction and ties the entire composition together with a touch of warmth.