2008 Jody Davis Friar C Sandblasted Lumberman Estate Briar Pipe, American Estates

Description

Jody Davis is a rockstar – literally. As a member of the Nashville rock group The Newsboys, he doesn’t have much time to make pipes these days, meaning his output is very limited. He’s also a rockstar in the pipe world, which makes the few pipes that he does put out each year extremely coveted. With mentors such as Lars Ivarsson and Jess Chonowitsch, it’s not hard to see why Davis became such an icon in his own right. In turn Davis has also left his mark on the artisan scene by, in turn, passing on his knowledge of the craft to other now-celebrated contemporary figures, such as Jeff Gracik of J. Alan pipes, and Pete Prevost.

As part of the “C” series of Davis’s Friar-grade output, this particular pipe has a distinct something “extra” added to its design, something that Davis has been credited for popularizing in artisan pipe-making: a split stem. No, not a “cracked” stem, a split stem. Essentially, it’s a way of fashioning stems so that an accent can be incorporated into the stem itself, rather than simply around or alongside it. With this one, Davis has managed to cut the pipe’s ebonite stem to include an exotic wood inlay that travels up toward the button in two channels, stopping short of the bite zone itself. It lends a remarkable touch to an otherwise reserved – almost modest – classic design, something that Davis is also well-known for, especially in his more traditional pieces.

The condition is great. Some minor rim darkening and residual oxidation.

 

Details:

Length: 6.5″ / 165.1mm

Bowl Width: 0.79 / 20.06mm

Bowl Depth: 1.65″ / 41.91mm

Weight: 2.1oz / 60g