Savinelli: Birdseye (921) Tobacco Pipe

Similar to Savinelli's "920 KS" design, the "921" is a sweeping take on the bent Dublin, the transition seamlessly curved for an elegant profile that rises gently into the bowl's strong flare. Such shaping lends the "921" a Danish-style softness and a striking sense of visual dynamism, and while it's most often found paired to a long, Churchwarden stem, this particular example bears a more standard configuration.

Savinelli considers numerous aspects when examining the briar quality of a pipe, including grain orientation, lack of flaws (such as naturally occurring sand pits), and how the grain aligns with the shape. How well a certain stummel meets these criteria determines its finish and tier within Savinelli's lineup, with the most estimable displays set aside for the Italian marque's more limited productions — like the Punto Oro and Giubileo d'Oro series. Since around 2010, Savinelli has allocated the most exemplary bowls from this superlative selection, and in 2019 they released the special Riserva line, which comprised bowls commended by stunning flame grain. However, not every stummel from this curated stock featured flame-grain orientation, so Savinelli released a line of Birdseye pipes in 2021. Dressed in a simple, auburn stain, this Birdseye piece showcases some of the finest briar Savinelli has to offer, all in a traditional presentation that draws focus to the immaculate grain.