Werner Mummert: Smooth Reverse Calabash Poker Tobacco Pipe

It's one thing to make crazy, unique pipes. It's another thing entirely to make well-engineered pipes. Both have their merits. It could be said, however, that one without the other doesn't exactly work that well, as uniqueness without precision and practicality would likely result in pipes that were interesting, but performed inefficiently, and deft engineering without a certain degree of individualism might appear boring and staid.

Fortunately, Werner Mummert doesn't have that problem, as his work practically epitomizes the apex of uniqueness and functionalism in the realm of pipe design. From his signature Reverse Calabash Barrel, to his collapsible Reverse Calabash Travel Pipe, his work never seems cobbled together or fashioned without a serious degree of thought from start to finish. This Poker is a beautiful example of this principle, as its subtly playful geometry in profile and whimsical implementation of a lavender and violet stem is matched by its secure fit at the stem junction, lovely warm flame-accentuating contrast, and sure-sitting stability. There's even a hint of underlying ring-grain dancing beneath the surface, too.