Mark Tinsky: Natural Volcano (4) (Three Stars) Tobacco Pipe

Mark Tinsky has always been an adventurous spirit; in fact, he first decided to open a pipe-carving business while bicycling across Europe with his friend Curt Rollar. Since that fateful day in 1978, the American carver has built a long and successful career of making beautiful pipes, often with his own unique adaptations of classic pipe chart shapes. This Volcano is a good example of that style, with a fluid shank and stem and a full-bodied bowl standing at the fore. Siad bowl stands on a broad, expansive base that's rounded by a crisp ridgeline, the fore of said base being kissed by a streak of plateau. From the base, the walls of the bowl take on a swift, steep taper to the flat rim, offering a robust feel in hand and surrounding a capacious chamber. The transition is wide and slightly raised from the base, and it gives way to an ovoid shank that curls up slightly to meet a sleek saddle stem of black vulcanite. Dressed in the Natural smooth finish and left without stain, the stummel showcases handsome grain throughout, with flame surrounding the bowl.