Smooth Tomato with Polymerized Corn Leaves (Bishop) (A24) (46) (2024) Tobacco Pipe

Jody Davis is a man of many talents. In addition to his pipe making pursuits, he is an award-winning musician with three Grammy nominations. As a carver of pipes, his distinct style drawing inspiration from Danish aesthetics and his high quality artisanship have propelled him to an exalted status in the pipe world and elevated the popularity of American artisan pipe making. This smooth Tomato is a stunning work of art from Jody Davis and is a clear testament to his skill and dedication to the craft.

The first thing that stands out to me about this Tomato is that Davis did a really great job reading the briar. The cross grain revealed by the cut is stunning. It flows in an unbroken, unswerving river from the top of the shank end, through the transition, around the plump bowl, and across the bottom of the shank back to the aft. The perfect flow of cross grain forms two distinct and undisturbed pools of eddying birdseye along the stummel's flanks, the detail of which is made crisp by the smooth finish and auburn stain. The resin accent at the saddle stem's base is further evidence of Davis' stylistic savvy, as the colors of the corn leaves trapped within echo and complement those found in the stummel, with streaks of black in between calling out to the vulcanite stem.

For those willing to take the risk, the pipe is of amiable dimensions and shape for pocket carrying. Its compact, Nosewarmer length and shallow chamber make it a great choice for the on-the-go smoker looking for a quick break to enjoy a favorite, relaxing blend. Its slim bit and light weight add additional convenience in the form of easy clenching. This isn't just a beautiful pipe, it's also a functional one: the best of both worlds.