J.T. Cooke Horn Sandblast

J.T. Cooke Horn Sandblast
In recent years, Jimmy has become quite conservative in his pipe design. This is in part a response to the preferences of his customers, and in part because the classical shapes allow him to concentrate even more scrupulously upon his blasting. This piece, made about 10 years ago, is more edgy and imaginative, and in its fluidity, it reminds me a bit of the early Danish "freehands" that rose to popularity in the early '70's.

Its form is that of a large and quite assertive horn, with continuous lines on the ront and back of the bowl. What gives it special interest is the asymmetrical top, which follows the contours of the burl from which the pipe was cut. Meanwhile, the entire surface is covered with symmetrical ring grain which Jimmy has revealed by hours of sandblasting, to the point where one can discern each individual grain. Combined with the jet black lucite mouthpiece which Jimmy cast and shaped especially for this pipe, it has the rusticity and "quaintness" that Dunhill first promulgated with his "Shell" finish, but here in a more modern and fluent form, a s powerful presence, and a surpassingly good blast.

It's in first rate condition in all regards.