Pete Prevost: Sandblasted Bent Brandy with Horn Tobacco Pipe

Much of the American school of pipemaking can be described as interpreting Danish shaping through an American lens. Todd Johnson and Jody Davis were among the first North American carvers to travel to Denmark and learn from the artisans there. It makes sense, then, that Pete Prevost would evoke a similar aesthetic in his work, having studied under both Todd and Jody.

This bent Brandy is a gorgeous example and is the second piece we've received from the American artisan that's inspired by a Jess Chonowitsch rendition. Proportions-wise, it fits into Pete's fare of compact, chubby pieces, and the lines here are excellent — flowing smoothly and uninterrupted from shank-end to rim as the saddle stem provides a touch of negative space to accentuate the stummel. The easy transition, sweeping heel, and gentle taper toward the rim make for a silhouette that exudes elegance and an in hand feel that's second to none. Pete's dressed this one in a subtle, Danish-style sandblast, showcasing intersecting lines of flame and ring grain alike, accented by a polished rim and tapered horn accent to perfectly match the lines implied by the shank. Simply put, it's an excellently designed piece from form to finish.