Smooth Speeding Rhodesian with Bamboo Tobacco Pipe

We've only ever received one other "Speeding" shape from the young American artisan Abe Herbaugh before: a dynamic and forward-thrusting take on Adam Davidson's signature "Fig" shape. While quite different in form and proportions to this slender and lean Rhodesian, the two do follow the same powerful stance in profile — implying a dramatic sense of momentum, seemingly "speeding" forward along the horizontal axis. Here he's realized that dynamism through a sharp bead-line and a strong taper down to the heel, followed by a familiar upward-arcing line flowing up along the underside from transition to the end of the slender bamboo extension. The result is simply stunning, especially paired with the perfect grain orientation — providing both straight grain and vibrant birdseye in spades.

- Andrew Wike