David Huber: Sandblasted Fugu (13/24) Tobacco Pipe

From hand carving and filing briar blocks in his home over ten years ago to studying under the likes of master carvers Tom Eltang, Jeff Gracik, Hans "Former" Nielsen, and Nanna Ivarsson, David Huber has established himself as a premier artisan pipe maker — each of his pieces meticulously crafted by hand and always imbued with the utmost precision, detail, and quality. He often challenges the boundaries of pipe design, and Huber's portfolio impresses with a vast array of creative designs, often honoring iconic carvers that came before him while also showcasing his own personal stylistic acumen.

Perhaps more than any other shape, the Fugu dominates Huber's portfolio, and the American carver has spent years experimenting with the design. The name translates to "Blowfish" from Japanese, and while the two shapes are virtually synonymous, the Fugu typically indicates renditions that are more asymmetrical — à la variations pioneered by iconic Japanese artisans like Hiroyuki Tokutomi and Kei-ichi Gotoh. This particular rendition from Huber presents a conservative profile compared to some of his other versions, but it maintains the shape's core aspects: A central panel bisects the bowl into flanks marked by birdseye, and in line with Huber's signature take on the shape, the rim features a dramatic, concave pose in profile. The central panel continues into the shank for added structure and a touch of asymmetry at the face, and it's all dressed in a light-depth sandblast. For fans of Huber's Blowfish interpretations, this is also quite the compact rendition — perfect for aficionados desiring an artful, handmade pipe ready for on-the-go practicality.