Partially Sandblasted Bent Dublin (2026) Tobacco Pipe

Formerly known as the American Pipe Making Exposition, our annual Global Pipe Making Exposition features contributions from some of the world's foremost artisans, all united around a central theme. One of the most exciting events of the year for carvers, smokers, and enthusiasts of briar alike, the Global Exposition acts not only as a showcase for the immense talent of these artisans but as a focus for the boundless creativity that these masters of the art possess. For 2026, the theme of our Expo is "The Art of the Sandblast," celebrating the artistry and craftsmanship behind one of the most meticulous finishing techniques in pipe making. Through the sandblast, these artisans transform the natural grain of briar into textured works of art, highlighting the unique character of each block and demonstrating the artistry of the technique.

Christian Ruetz, an artisan pipe maker from Austria, brings a profound appreciation for nature to his handcrafted pipes. Drawing inspiration from the rugged beauty of the Austrian Alps where he was raised, Ruetz creates pipes that merge organic shaping with exceptional engineering. His designs reflect a philosophy rooted in nature's "perfect imperfection."

Ruetz's submission to this year's Expo is a fitting testament to his design philosophy: a highly organic bent Dublin with an eye-catching interplay of smooth and sandblasted finishes unlike anything I've seen. Rendered in a Danish style, the form features an arching bend that creates an upswept momentum through the fore and aft of the piece, while plateau crowns both the bowl and shank end, adding another organic flourish.

The stummel features an interplay of smooth and sandblasted finishes, with the sandblasted sections left natural and unstained. This contrast offers a great showcase of how different finishes can reveal grain, with the smooth sections displaying neat tendrils while the blasted areas reveal growth rings, evoking the look of topography across the design. Overall, this is a handsome, organic take on the bent Dublin, and a fitting piece for this year's Pipe Exposition that pleases both the eye and the hand.