Michael Parks: Partially Sandblasted Blowfish (VI.17) Tobacco Pipe

This is quite a stylistic shift for Michael Parks, with his penchant for charming takes on English classics, and I'm quite fond of it. Exuding a Japanese-like sense of asymmetry, this Blowfish rendition displays an acute sense of forward momentum, while also benefiting from a finish treatment we don't see terribly often from the Canadian artisan. By and large, Michael's sandblasted briars tend to be quite craggy of texture, showcasing a deeply-coaxed grain pattern regardless of size. When it comes to his partial sandblasts however, Michael seems to run the gamut as far the depth of his treatments, allowing the texture and finish to best complement the piece as a whole. That being said, this modernist fellow sees one of the most interesting blends of smooth finish and sandblasted texture I've encountered on a briar, interweaving sections of crisp texture and smooth polish in a complex and organic way, while still calling to mind that aforementioned 'balanced asymmetry' associated with the Japanese school. The dark texture and ruby gloss is paired to a brindle-patterned, minty green stem, a choice I admittedly would not have anticipated, but it all just works, and splendidly so. Highly recommended.

- Daniel Bumgardner