Partially Sandblasted Speared Fish with Bocote Tobacco Pipe

Abe Herbaugh is among the most exciting and skillful artisan pipe makers in the world, and while much of his portfolio comprises distinctive interpretations of more classic shapes, every so often he takes the time to produce something entirely singular and sculpturally brilliant. This Speared Fish design is a centerpiece-worthy pipe, and even though he's carved a select few renditions in previous years, each one is utterly unique.

As the name implies, this pipe is pierced by a section of bocote, lined with stainless steel, and complete with a continuous airway to make it a functional Cavalier. The bowl is a masterpiece of intricate lines and remarkable grain. It resembles its namesake with a curling tail that wraps perfectly around the protruding bocote spear. With a dual finish, smooth and sandblasted texture interplay across the stummel with two distinctive stains, and such intricate shaping required a rigorous and difficult finishing process to ensure every line and facet is properly sanded and polished. Of particular note, the tail features the smallest of facets along its edge, which is left smooth to contrast the rest of the sandblasted texture. Such level of detail and skill distinguish Herbaugh for the artist and craftsman that he is, and the entire composition stands upright atop the vulcanite foot — fitted to the bocote via a reverse tenon in the same manner as the hand-cut vulcanite stem. A true masterpiece, this is a wonderful example of when art and craft combine.