Claudio Cavicchi: Brown Sandblasted Billiard 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 Billiard is a hearty, subtly bowl-forward rendition of the timeless shape, presenting with a faithfully neoclassical aesthetic. The full-bodied bowl here offers a wealth of substance in the hand, with ample curvature for comfort, and its walls take on a sleek bit of taper toward a smooth rim. A wide transition gives way to a comparatively sleek stretch of tapering shank and stem, the pairing pushing further visual weight onto the bowl. The stummel here has been dressed in one of Cavicchi's excellent sandblasts and stained a rich auburn tone, Claudio's talent for shaping to the grain showcased in the rippling growth rings that cascade down the bowl.