Dirk Heinemann: Sandblasted Morta Grainbug Tobacco Pipe

One of Dirk Heinemann's signature shapes, the Grainbug is a Freehand that's marked by its forward-surging posture, compact dimensions, and chubby proportions. In profile, the shape most closely resembles a pill bug, with a certain arcing curvature comprising the totality of the stummel. The shank curls and drops below the stem, terminating at a flattened foot that mirror the flattened fore of the bowl. The end of the shank and the extended fore of the bowl are closely related and form a pocket of negative space at the aft side of the composition. Similar to the German artisan's Architect, this piece boasts a firm, structural soundness to its build, but it's more organic and softly contoured than that previously mentioned design. Instead of traditional briar, Heinemann has fashioned this piece from morta, a petrified bog oak prized for its unique grain patterns and heat-resistance. The gorgeous material has been treated to a crisp sandblast that draws out hypnotic waves of grain across the surface of the stummel. The push-style stem juts from the top of the shank, and a brass inlay reinforces the mortise and provides a dose of flash to the composition. A truly unique and inventive design, this piece will no doubt become a favorite among any collector's rotation.