Brad Pohlmann: Sandblasted Canadian Tobacco Pipe

The history of American artisan pipe making can be divided into two distinct eras: The first, in the '70s and '80s, drew much from Italian aesthetics, as well as the Danish Fancy style, creating pipes of often bold, dramatic proportions and others with more wild, Freehand aspects. The second, in the late '90s and continuing today, brought Danish and Japanese artisan inspiration and techniques, expanding the œuvre with refined classics and intricate, avant-garde renditions. Brad Pohlmann is one of the few carvers to exist in both eras of American artisan pipe making, and his style has mirrored the trajectory of that stylistic history. His pipe-making origins began in the '70s, but Pohlmann took a hiatus until the early 2000s to pursue a career in the computer industry. Since then, though, he's established himself as among the most renowned artisan pipe makers in North America, producing work sought the world over and celebrated not only for its distinctive aesthetic bent but also its premium craftsmanship and unparalleled engineering.

Collectors who have followed Pohlmann's work over the decades will no doubt be familiar with his signature diamond-shanked Canadian rendition. This classic version, however, while more traditional, is considerably rarer in the context of the American carver's portfolio, and it sees Pohlmann express his appreciation for iconic, shape-chart standards. As if plucked straight out of an early-20th century catalog, this Canadian is large, archetypal iteration of the beloved form: A long oval shank and abbreviated tapered stem draw focus to the large Billiard bowl, and the overall length of over six inches perfectly balances the bowl's considerable height and resulting chamber depth. For fans of vintage English pipes, especially Dunhill's "09" Canadian, but who desire the touch and expertise of an accomplished artisan, this handmade Canadian is a considerable acquisition.