Il Duca: Sandblasted Morta Volcano with Red Palm (B) Tobacco Pipe

In 1990, Massimiliano Rimensi started to smoke a pipe, sparking an interest in how pipes were made. Already possessing some carpentry skills, Max visited every briar mill, workshop, and tobacconist he could find to learn more about pipes. Max began carving pipes under the name Il Duca, an homage to the medieval history of Ferrara, Italy, his hometown. Max's pipe-making portfolio includes everything from traditional Billiards to mind-bending Freehands. Furthermore, pipes with stylistic flourishes, a wide array of accents, and precise engineering define Il Duca's catalog.

This Volcano from Il Duca is made from morta, an alternative material to briar. Morta is wood that has been submerged in water for thousands of years, and it is also known as bog oak. The material possesses a geometric grain pattern compared to the organic idiosyncrasies of briar, which can be seen here in this sandblasted Volcano exposing vertical patterns of concentric growth rings. Furthermore, many claim that morta offers a much dryer smoke than briar and imparts a neutral taste.

In addition to the mesmerizing sandblast, this Volcano also showcases Il Duca's deft shaping of morta. A wrapping ridgeline demarcates the supply tapered upper bowl and the scoop-shaped underside. Furthermore, the ridgeline extends onto the bent shank, smoothly blending into the curved, cylindrical surface. Near the shank end, the shank flares outward and meets an accenting band of Red Palm, its dotted and striped pattern bearing a striking similarity to the sandblasted grain. The demurely bent vulcanite stem completes this pipe's S-curve and offers a comfortable smoking posture. Overall, this Volcano presents plenty of supple shaping but still retains an appealing muscular aesthetic.