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"Clem paused a tick and said [I don't know Zeke, he looks pretty mean, ya might want to pet him first]" (notices you, swings his chair in your direction and smiles) Good afternoon/evening, may I join you in a smoke? While usually the most sardonic guy in the room, there are times when I wish that simple, positive declarations would be taken at their face value, not auto-interpreted through jade colored glasses. An example? "Wow, terrific..., I'm really excited to be part of this plan." When presented in absence of visual or audio clues (ok, read: print), 99% of us assign a tone that positively drips with sarcasm. When I say "I'm one lucky stiff and have one of the best jobs in the building", I mean just that. While my specific duties as a web and content specialist are a bit (pauses, runs 'vague' through the thesaurus) 'nebulous', I get to handle some of the more interesting descriptions, quick-check and fine tune the accuracy of information that we present to you and even get to play a bit with Facebook (think 'coach/utility infielder'). Because increased familiarity leads to increased knowledge, Sykes usually goes out of his way to make sure that I get to spend some time with visiting customers, as well as important folks who call on us from time to time. My favorite part of the job springs from the above goal of familiarization; I'm the lucky one who gets to chat, often at great length, with carvers who are new to our site. Over the past few weeks, I have had a great deal of fun talking with the artisan who is making his SPC debut tonight, Abe Herbaugh, and to say that it was a genuine pleasure would be almost damning with faint praise.
The minimal nuts and bolts of Abe Herbaugh, both the man and his art, can be found on his page. What can't be conveyed in 320 words (or less) is the spirit of the man, much less how the sum of his vocational and avocational experiences benefit his present art and, by extension, what you as a pipe collector can expect in the future. When Abe came to the craft in 2009, he already possessed more woodworking and machining experience than many carvers with a half-decade jump on him, as well as the crazy-good eye for detail required by his main vocation. Right from the word 'jump', he felt pulled to the 'reboot' style and inventiveness of the American school (even his first premium marque pipe was a Rad Davis) and, in a very short amount of time, he was not only creating imminently marketable briars which bore the school's aesthetic, but starting to show a talent for pushing the edge of recently established proportionalities.
One commonality that you have probably observed in all of the great carvers (and one that seems to run in the blood of all who excel), is the ability to take a goal, and visualize the rewards of achieving it to such an extent that the objective is already mentally reached... all one needs is the unwavering determination to physically carry out the steps to complete an already 'completed' journey. Abe Herbaugh is a long distance hiker of considerable note; in 2010 he hiked the entire length of the Appalachian Trail, and a few days after the 2013 CPCC show, he began the 2400 mile trek that is the Pacific Crest Trail. A bit more than half way through, Herbaugh developed pain in his knee, severe enough for him to take a day off and consult a doctor. The doc pronounced his affliction as 'acute bursitis', and ordered Abe to lay off any hiking for a minimum of two weeks. Abe didn't have two weeks, and so he kept hiking for days, each day more agonizing than the preceding one. After four days, the pain and swelling had all but immobilized him, and he had to throw in the towel... but not without a solemn vow to return and conquer. I'd say that Abe owns that 'winner's commonality' in spades, wouldn't you?
While Abe's present work definitely has 'game', as well as representing a great value, in my opinion, he also boasts the necessary talents, outlook and mindset to eventually take a rightful place amongst the American greats. And now, without further ado, Smokingpipes.com takes pleasure in welcoming Abe Herbaugh to our house, and looks forward to your appraisal.
For all of you Castello fans out there, and we know you are legion, pay close attention to this update. Today, we are presenting you with 18 fresh, top-notch pieces from this most iconic of Italian marques. This batch bears a cornucopia of shapes to suit any taste or style: some great, some small, some as smooth and flawless as glass, others bearing that famous 'Sea Rock' rustication you've come to know and love - all exquisitely crafted in the Italian school, meaning bold definition combined with effortless flare.
Also, Rattray makes an appearance with three varied designs. From the small, compact Chubby Jackey Terracotta to the robust, subtly paneled Highland, right down to the Vintage Army '27', a beautifully utilitarian featherweight. Veering strongly toward the Pesaro school, Ser Jacopo gives us six flowing designs, some with a smoothness and fluidity in gesture that rivals a Picasso drawing - an artist, I might add, from whom Ser Jacopo has sought inspiration many a time. In accordance, Japanese pipe maker Tsuge conjures up 12 pieces, many of which draw from another modern aesthetic; namely the rich, bold geometric shapes of the Art Deco movement.
Neerup returns as brightly stained and as free formed as ever with nine pieces, Nording makes a strong appearance, bringing in a large sum of 24, while Brigham stands in strong contrast with 12 darkly stained, richly earthy smokers. Per usual, an impressive portion of our update can be found in a whopping 96 classic designs from both Savinelli and Peterson, and 72 varied estates.
Lastly, as Sykes mentioned in yesterday's newsletter, our Specials section is currently flush with pipes of all manner and make. We've also introduced a new feature to the site allowing you to chat with our Customer Service team should you be shy, should your jaws be clenched too tightly to the stem of a Giant-scale pipe, or should you be a modern man who prefers textual communicae.
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