Pete Prevost: Smooth Bent Apple with Bakelite Tobacco Pipe

Pete Prevost carved his first pipe over two days from a pipe kit. He then had the good fortune to learn the craft of pipe making from two of the most accomplished artisans in the United States: Jody Davis and Todd Johnson, both of whom quickly accelerated his learning process in the realms of both shaping and engineering. Prevost's synthesis of this skill with his personal style has resulted in a design outlook that oftentimes highlights compact shaping, well represented in this bent Apple.

This bent Apple is an especially robust rendition of the classic shape, displaying a hearty organic quality that lends it a comfortable presence in hand. The bowl features thick, supple walls that curve down to a soft heel, with a plump, domed rim, placing the emphasis of this composition decidedly at the fore. Out back, a smooth transition gives way to a thick round shank that curls gently upward, joined to a domed saddle stem of swirled Bakelite, comfortably bent to assist with easy clenching. Dressed in a rich auburn finish, the stummel boasts impressive flame grain around the bowl's midriff, with swirling birdseye across the broad rim and rounded heel.