David Huber: Sandblasted Fugu with Bakelite (6622) Tobacco Pipe

David Huber is an American carver who takes inspiration from the Danish and Japanese pipe-making traditions, and as such, his work tends be quite organic, prioritizing sculpted lines and precise shaping. Huber began making pipes full-time in 2014 and received guidance in his early days from carvers like Jeff Gracik, Nanna Ivarsson, and Alex Florov.

This Fugu is a fine example of Huber's work, featuring a dynamic, bowl-forward stance that emphasizes the supple, asymmetrical flanks bifurcated by a firm central panel. The rim is given a unique treatment that creates a pincer-like quality, thanks to its integration with the ridge. Out back, the ridgeline continues through the bottom of the shank, while the the top becomes rounded, flaring sharply at the conjunction. A colorful Bakelite saddle stem completes the ensemble, adding a touch of contrast and visual flair to the composition. Dressed in a crisp, dark, ruby-tinged sandblast, the stummel boasts excellently textured grain, with cross grain and birdseye perfectly oriented with the shaping, making for quite an impressive effect.