Sandblasted Blowfish with Spalted Birch Tobacco Pipe

German artisan Dirk Heinemann came to pipe carving after working as a furniture designer, using his experience to impressive effect with innovative and unique designs. This Blowfish is one such piece, dressed in a sandblast, relatively uncommon for the shape. The shaping is true to the form, however, featuring a curvaceous bowl with a sweeping asymmetrical middle ridge, perfectly oriented to complement the natural grain of the briar itself. The shank is curved upward, with ridges from the bowl continuing up its length, creating a triangular cross section with partial paneling on the underside, allowing the pipe to rest comfortably upright. A handsome spalted birch accent caps the shank face, meeting a sleek hand-cut vulcanite stem that offers a comfortable clench and easy draw. Dressed in a crisp ruby sandblast, the stummel boasts excellent birdseye and ring grain that Heinemann has incorporated into the ridges of the design, creating seamless and crisp lines throughout this particularly fine piece.