Scottie Piersel: Relief Contrast Pencil Shank Pot Tobacco Pipe

Scottie Piersel's pipes are impressive for a number of reasons, not the least of which are her remarkable pencil shanks. Svelte and ultra-sleek, they're actually more slender than most pencils and far more durable, thanks to stainless steel tubes inserted into them. The carver wouldn't see it any other way; durability and functionality are top priorities to the American artisan. The broad and robust bowl of this Pot is perched at the end of that streamlined shank and features a subtly chamfered rim that softens the form, creating a stark contrast in proportion between the fore and aft of the composition. The stummel is dressed in Piersel's distinctive Relief Contrast finish, achieved by staining the briar, sandblasting it, sanding down the excavated portions of wood, and finally staining the stummel in another lighter color. This labor-intensive process produces an elegantly contrasting pipe, pairing the rugged aesthetic of a sandblast with a smoother tactile experience. The rippling stacks of ring grain on this Pot are exquisitely defined, highlighted by the briar's blonde and walnut hues. Topping things off is a slender, hand-cut vulcanite stem in brindled blue vulcanite, flaring wide at the bit for smoking comfort while balancing the visual weight of the composition.