Werner Mummert: Sandblasted Apple Tobacco Pipe

Werner Mummert is known for innovative designs and high craftsmanship standards, pushing the envelope of known conventions while producing unquestionably fine pipes. This Apple is quintessential Mummert and has become one of his signature shapes in recent years. Seen in profile, the curvature of a plump, tall bowl almost disappears, blending with the full-height shank so well the flank appears nearly flat. However, when seen from above, the pipe is anything but, displaying a broad, rotund bowl that protects the chamber with thick, insulating walls. Also from above, I see that the shank flares in width as it stretches toward the unique, brindled stem. The rim is chamfered and from its uppermost ridgeline, the shank starts a long downward glide to a quite tall black accent and the swirling mauve and charcoal hues of the mouthpiece.

Werner has, as always, selected an exemplary block of briar for this pipe, his skill in the blasting cabinet put to use to define incredibly crisp stacks of ring grain all around the bowl and running down the shank. Already a stunning feat of craftsmanship, Werner has taken it a step further with a smoky contrast stain, for a truly superlative finish that demands to be examined. A feature of a pipe that is normally hard to miss is chamber volume, but this pipe provides such an unusual, well-executed shape that my mind keeps jumping to new details. So I have to note here, the chamber is almost two inches tall, and suitably broad as well, making this a pipe that will stay in your hand for a long, leisurely smoke. All the better to have time for finger pads to explore the stimulating finish.