Luiz Lavos: Sandblasted Billiard with Nickel Tobacco Pipe

Enamored with woodworking from an early age, as much of his childhood was spent in the workshop of his grandfather, Brazilian artisan Luiz Lavos' gravitation toward pipe making was inspired by his uncle, who was an avid enthusiast of pipes. His path in this regard was additionally influenced by his experience with graphic design, allowing him to create innovative and unique designs, many of which are rooted in the classic Danish tradition. This kind of Danish leaning was reinforced through his time spent with Hans "Former" Nielsen, who taught him finishing techniques and further reinforced his already palpable talent.

A classically-inclined piece from the Brazilian artisan, this Billiard does well to showcase Lavos' Danish influence, with a compact, balanced build that displays a typically Danish Billiard bowl. Said bowl is defined by its measured taper upward, its gentle arc toward the chamfered rim offering a comfortable feel in hand while its dynamic forward cant infuses the composition with an active, slightly playful charm. The transition is wide and cheeked, with plenty of room to drape a digit, its subtle cheeking emphasizing the comfortable curves of the bowl at its low-set waist. From here, the round shank pushes out to meet a large, domed fitment of nickel, the silvery accent acting as a reinforcement for a military mount that houses the sleek saddle stem of black vulcanite. Dressed in a dark, inky sandblast, the stummel showcases bands of vertical growth rings flowing through the flanks of the bowl, its stark dressing contrasted richly by the nickel's elegant vibrancy.