Sandblasted Standing Long Shank Blowfish Tobacco Pipe

The second Blowfish in the same batch of pipes from Kent Rasmussen, it's been quite sometime since we've seen a form quite like this from the carver. An extremely vertical piece, the pipe itself rests on a pedestal-like foot at the base of the bowl, further enhancing the sculptural approach to shaping for which Kent is well-known. A natural sitter of course, the foot actually allows for a substantial feel in hand as well, and the upward-thrust lines initiated at circular bowl's aft extend gracefully into the saddle stem's ornate base. With a lane of cross-grain stacked right down the mid-section, blasted birdseye makes for a stimulating texture on each flank, and the dark, subtly warm sandblasted finish is an appropriately understated treatment for such an artful briar. Recommended.

- Daniel Bumgardner