Smooth Blowfish (128) Tobacco Pipe

Micah "Yeti" Cryder, child of the internet and apprentice to pipe making forums, is an archetypal American carver. Please understand that when I say "archetypal", it is with emphasis on the Latin root of arch — ie, first, highest, most accomplished — as the young Montana resident shows a degree of skill more often seen in carvers with two or three times the experience. In this case, it also means that he's not afraid of showing the roots of American pipe making within his work — as evidenced here with a Blowfish that exemplifies the influence Danish carvers have had on the American scene.

In fact, this piece reminds me strongly of a pre Per and Ulf S. Bang that came through estates some time back, with the cheeks of both pipes displaying characteristics of the Acorn, similar treatments to the shank and transition, though — dare I say it — Micah in this case has a better handle on the use of stemwork to give his composition balance and flow.

- Adam O'Neill