Claudio Cavicchi: Black Sandblasted Bent Dublin Tobacco Pipe

Claudio Cavicchi is truly a master of his craft, and his ability to coax the best possible grain out of every piece of briar will always astound me. His over 50 years of experience ensures that his pipes are not only beautiful, but expertly shaped and precisely drilled. This bent Dublin is a subtly curved piece from the Italian artisan, its silhouette reminiscent of the Horn in its gently flowing lines. A wide transition gives way to a tapering shank that lifts and forms a domed shank end that acts as the junction to a similarly tapering stem of demurely curved black acrylic. Up front, the bowl stands atop a rounded heel, its walls taking on a measured flare out to a broad, plateau-crowned rim and canting forward dynamically for a look that's subtly infused with momentum. These walls surround a capacious chamber and offer comfort in the hand thanks to their easy contours. Dressed in one of Cavicchi's signature inky sandblasts, the stummel showcases rippling ring grain flowing down the briar, with streaks of visible flame grain standing out for added appeal.