Sandblasted Bent Tomato Tobacco Pipe

I just referenced Lars Ivarsson in another description of an Alex Florov pipe. In that case, the pipe looked nothing like anything Lars has or would make, but I thought the pipe exhibited some underlying ideas that reminded me of Lars. This pipe, on the other hand, is a very definite and clear homage to the Ivarsson dynasty. There's one subtle difference between what Florov has done here and what Lars or Nanna would do, but the similarities are unmistakable.

The short stem, complete with the Ivarsson style saddle work, paired with the shank cap (executed exactly as I've seen Nanna and Lars do it), is only the start of the Ivarsson theme. The curved, flaring, eye-shaped shank is likewise classic Ivarsson, as are the lines of the bowl. However, the ridge that defines the left side of the shank only extends the length of the shank, not across the bottom of the bowl, meeting the rim at the front, as it would in an Ivarsson composition (this being the one exception I mentioned above). However, the smooth rim, contrasting with the sandblasted bowl and shank is again something that the Ivarssons do with this shape when its sandblasted.

Speaking of sandblasts, this one is excellent. It's deeper than the Ivarssons would go, very much in the American sandblast style rather than the Danish sandblast style-- clear, deep ridges predominate. The stain used is a beautiful rich red, not dissimilar (though by no means identical) to the red stains that Lars sometimes employs on his sandblasts.

It's an extraordinarily conceived, shaped and executed little pipe, an absolute joy to hold and a pleasure to simply look at. Ivarsson homage pipes are something that a lot of American pipe makers do, with varying degrees of success. I think that Alex has done an extraordinary job with this particular one, directly referencing Lars to a great degree, without letting it simply become a direct copy.

-- Sykes Wilford