Smooth Rhodesian (CCCC) Tobacco Pipe

Claudio Cavicchi is truly a master of his craft, and his ability to coax the best possible grain out of every piece of briar will always astound me. His over 50 years of experience ensures that his pipes are not only beautiful, but expertly shaped and precisely drilled. This take on the Rhodesian is certainly an interesting one, offering a silhouette that's similar to some of his renditions of the Acorn, with a tall bowl and lengthy shank and stem combination. The shank itself lifts out of a wide transition, with plenty of room left to drape a digit if desired, pushing out a good bit to meet a sleek black saddle stem that's subtly downturned for a more comfortable smoking position. Not only does the shank's angle tilt the stem toward the smoker, it also affords the composition an agile, poised look that keeps the eye focused on the stummel. Up front, the bowl stands on a rather pronounced heel that terminates in a very subtly rounded point, acting as a muscular base for thick walls to expand, rising more than two inches to a domed rim encircled by a pair of beadlines at the waist. Dressed in one of Cavicchi's iconic honey-blonde finishes and graded four C's out of five, the bowl and shank are wrapped in dense flame grain, while the rim and underside are peppered with birdseye.