Claudio Cavicchi: Brown Smooth Bent Brandy 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 also expertly shaped and precisely drilled. A supple and fluid take on the timeless bent Brandy shape, this pipe is poised for comfortable smoking and displays a handsomely sinuous silhouette. The transition is wide enough to drape a digit, and it gives way to a comparatively slim, lifting shank that tapers softly to meet a sleek saddle stem of smartly curved black acrylic. This arcing combination balances the bowl as it stands on a delightfully plump heel, its walls making a forward-urging taper to the gently undulating rim and enhancing the dynamic look of this composition well. Dressed in one of Cavicchi's warm, walnut-toned stains, the stummel showcases handsome grain throughout, with dense flame wrapping the bowl and lining the shank while fields of birdseye preside over the rim and underside: all while rippling bands of visible growth rings flow down the bowl.