Rusticated & Sandblasted Pokerhawk with Silver (L2) (2507) Tobacco Pipe

Learning his craft from Mike Butera, Larry Roush reciprocated by teaching Mike how to apply silverwork to his pipes since Larry was a jeweler by trade until turning to pipemaking. The Pokerhawk is one of Larry's signature shapes, and it's easy to see the influence of the Castello and Radice Hawkbills in the shank treatment here, followed by a half-saddle mouthpiece of cumberland. The pipe is large in hand, though not particularly long, but it has a massive rotundness that perches beautifully in hand. Though substantial in its proportions, its balance is such that it should be easy to clench when needed. The transition is very, very high on the bowl, the undercurve of the shank curving softly up to the stem, complementing the curves of the upper shank and bowl. You won't find a more firm sitter than this pipe; it sits as though connected to the earth by foundational pylons. The finish is a combination of rustication and sandblasting, the craggy rusticated surface revealing the sandblasted grain of the briar under close scrutiny. Of course, like all of Larry's pipes, this Pokerhawk includes an elegant, precious metal band, this one of sterling silver.