Mike Sebastian Bay: Smooth Pickaxe with Horn Tobacco Pipe

As a former apprentice of Tom Eltang, Bay understands what makes a pipe both beautiful and functional, and his work showcases this fact with its sophisticated engineering and stylish finishing work. This Pickaxe is a handsome showcase of Bay's shaping style, which favors elegant lines and soft, understated curves. As is traditional for the form, the bowl here flares from its firm, pointed heel to its broad, softly inflated rim. The sharply defined heel adds a touch of angularity to the otherwise sinuous form, and naturally draws the eye toward the transition, which marks the start of the shank-and-stem arrangement's upward climb. The shank and stem provide a pronounced gesture to the shape's profile, and promote a comfortable smoking posture, all while balancing the bowl. An auburn smooth finish dresses the stummel and highlights a handsome showing of birdseye and crossgrain around the bowl, while a ferrule horn adorns the shank and ties the entire composition together with a touch of vibrant color.