Partially Sandblasted Tomato with Spalted Maple Burl (2026) Tobacco Pipe

After undertaking what he has described as a "pipe pilgrimage" through Europe, Brad Pohlmann returned to the United States in the 1970s and began crafting pipes at Vermont's renowned Briar Workshop. Though he would later step away from the craft to pursue a career in computer science, Pohlmann eventually returned to pipe making with an exacting, engineering-minded approach that continues to define his work today. His pieces are celebrated for their balance of functionality, comfort, and refined shaping, all qualities embodied by this elegant Tomato.

Traditional in outline, this piece approaches Nosewarmer dimensions while retaining a remarkably lightweight feel, making it especially well suited to travel or leisurely everyday carry. The squat bowl rises from a gently lifted heel, its supple walls expanding upward toward a plateau-flecked rim that lends the composition a touch of organic texture. Behind the bowl, a generous transition offers a comfortable thumb rest before giving way to an ovoid shank and a gently arcing saddle stem.

A striking accent of spalted maple burl adorns the stem base, pairing beautifully with the stummel's rich, smoky finish. Beneath the warm polish, sweeping flame grain dances across the bowl's flanks while a partial sandblast along the underside of the shank adds texture and a subtle sense of contrast to the composition.