Usuzukuri Fugu (Bull) (2426) (2026) Tobacco Pipe

Avid pipe-smoker-and-collector-turned-artisan David Huber describes himself as "forever a student of pipes," having studied under numerous legendary pipe makers around the globe. Driven by a constant desire for improvement, Huber pays careful attention to his craft, and when looking at this stunning Fugu from the artisan, his exacting approach is starkly evident.

With an affinity for the Danish and Japanese carving styles in particular, it's no wonder the Fugu is no stranger to Huber's portfolio. This latest iteration combines crisp, geometric forms with beautifully flowing lines, exhibiting a truly impressive sense of dynamism throughout. Every vantage point reveals a new microcosm of shaping cues that entrance the eye and delight the hand, with each facet of the briar maximizing the grain within to its fullest potential. As such, this piece has earned Huber's ultimate grade: the Bull. Moreover, this pipe's name references usuzukuri, an ultra-thinly sliced form of sashimi that traditionally uses blowfish. This is more than a fitting comparison, given the precise lines that inform this Blowfish

Starting with the bowl, there's a lovely sense of push and pull, with the right flank bulging out and the left flank creating an inverse curve as it caves inward. Ridgelines bisect both flanks, adding a touch of rigidity to the form and showcasing Huber's penchant for precise linework as they flow into the Blowfish's trademark fins, here rendered with exceptional grace. Both flanks of the bowl also follow a twisting trajectory that tilts the rim diagonally, with said trajectory established by the twisting, equally dynamic shank. Stunning cross grain wraps around the top and underside of the stummel, while exceptional birdseye adorns the flanks; all are dressed in an impeccable contrast stain whose warm undertones pair handsomely with the brass ring inlaid on the shank's curling face. A hand-cut, push-style stem of vulcanite completes the composition, its high-kicking posture allowing for a comfortable clench.