A visually stunning, elegant species from Southeast Asia
that delights the eye with a swirling maelstrom of deep reds, maroons,
and burgandies ending suddenly at a dark border, across which finely flecked
tans, browns and flashes of creamy whites contrast. With so much going
on, amboyna still maintains a surprising dignity, with an effect that is
rather formal overall. A bit of luxury to stuff in your pocket. Something
with real heft for its size to keep the fingers occupied while thinking.
You can tamp your tobacco with it, too, of course, and even unscrew it
now and then to use the pick, or just to have something else to do while
you're waiting to light your pipe. Considered a somewhat rare wood, amboyna
burls are grabbed up by bowl turners, but now and then small, highly-figured
pieces trickle down and when they do, I get as many as I can. I'll try
to keep these coming, although I doubt they'll ever be standard items.
Brass, and the black cap is polished water buffalo horn.
