Nathan Armentrout Partially Sandblasted Blowfish Tobacco Pipe

This Blowfish from American artisan Nathan Armentrout is remarkably compact and tight-knit — its silhouette almost resembling an Opera shape when viewed from above. It shares the same portability as an Opera, being easily clenched in the jaw or slipped into a pocket, yet it offers much more dynamism and visual intrigue with its beautifully organic asymmetry. A partial sandblast furthers this pipe's dynamic aesthetic, with smooth, vibrantly stained strips of briar adorning the rim and sweeping curve that underscores the entire stummel. Another pop of textural and tonal contrast appears along the shank face, which is accented by smooth hardwood replete with dark, smoky tendrils of grain. The rest of the stummel wears an inky sandblast that offers a wealth of tactile detail for the hand to appreciate.