Werner Mummert: Partially Sandblasted Bulldog Tobacco Pipe

There are two words I feel are synonymous with Werner Mummerts body of work: creative, and precise, both of exemplified in great detail with this signature bent Bulldog design. There are a lot more words, come to think of it, as he continues to impress with his dedication to innovation and craftsmanship, each new pipe from him a delight to interact with. Mummert likes to evoke the classic cues of a Bulldog with a particularly high-set waistline, sometimes even, as seen here, placing the iconic double beadline on the rim itself instead of the encircling ridgeline. The rim is domed, but with a straight taper instead of curve, further contributing to the structural aesthetic. The bowl's sides taper cleanly to an ultra crisp, point heel, one of his signature cues, and the shank is released from a tight transition to stretch arrow-straight out back.

Mummert's skill in the blasting cabinet and proprietary technique place him in very select group of artisans who continually seek to perfect the art of sandblasted finishes. Tight stacks of wavy ring grain encircles the bowl, and I particularly admire how he has brought out a mirrored "V" pattern in the briar on top of the shank. Looking at the structure of this piece, I am struck by the depth and cragginess he achieved with the grain relief, while somehow managing to completely preserve the clean lines of the pipe's bespoke profile. Stop and look at it for a second. What is happening here? Magic, that's what. Never satisfied with mere mastery of briar, Mummert has added a meticulously hand-detailed saddle mouthpiece, with a colorful accent of such tightly brindled vulcanite that it evokes the impossibly tight layers of Fordite. All of this, and with a quite capacious chamber and surprisingly light overall weight despite its generous dimensions. For those who love cool Bulldogs, or any discerning collector, this is a must have.