Jody Davis: Sandblasted Zombie Fish with Bloodwood (Friar) (A24) (33) Tobacco Pipe

Jody Davis, in addition to being an accomplished musician, is also a venerated pipe maker who fashions some of the finest briars in the world. Like many American artisans, Davis tends to fashion relatively compact designs that emphasize muscular proportions over length, making this Zombie Fish something of an outlier within his overall portfolio.

The traditional Fish is defined by its curling profile, round, Egg-like bowl, and single architectural ridgeline. This Zombie rendition, however, offers a more angular silhouette, with the bowl being far more rigid in appearance, possessing an outline embellished by spurs of briar and subtle facets. A wide transition follows said bowl and marks the start of a shank that sweeps upward and swiftly flares toward a demurely curved saddle stem of jet-black vulcanite. A bloodwood accent adorns the junction and adds a touch of complementary color the shape's palette, which consists of dark hues juxtaposed against auburn tones. A crisp sandblast dresses the ensemble and highlights rugged grain throughout the stummel.