David Huber: Sandblasted Long Shank Dublin with Brass (5019) Tobacco Pipe

A particularly noteworthy offering from David Huber, this piece marks the first time we've received a straight Dublin from the North Carolina-based carver and the first long-shanked design we've seen from him as well. It's a remarkable piece of craftsmanship, the soaring, deep-chambered bowl positioned at a subtle forward cant and paired to a thick, round shank and an abbreviated saddle stem. That shank-and-stem combination serves to accentuate the bowl's visual prominence while also providing plenty of space between the pipe smoker and the burning tobacco within. The sandblasted finish is stellar, with endless waves of ring grain creeping up the tall bowl before meeting the smooth, inflated rim above which has been stained a smoky walnut hue to stand out just enough from the stummel's jet-black color.

Though seemingly just a handsome accenting touch, the brass ring that graces the shank end is also quite special in the context of Huber's diverse portfolio and the pipe making craft at large. It's the first time a piece of metal has been used to accent one of Huber's pipes and has quite a fascinating backstory. David received this piece of antique brass from Portuguese carver Joao Reis after studying alongside him during the fall of 2018. Reis was originally gifted the brass from Tom Eltang who acquired it from the Stanwell factory years ago, making it a piece of pipe history just from its lineage alone and the perfect addition to such a significant piece.