07/09/2026
This pipe started life as a chunk of briar for a commissioned pipe. As the shaping and sanding progressed, flaws in the briar were revealed. It was set aside and a new piece was started for the special order. This new piece shaped beautifully into a poker pipe and is now living its best life in the customers hands.
This piece of briar sat off to the side for months while I tried to decide what to do with it. Would it get thrown in the discard bucket, used to practice new rustication styles, or continue to be shaped and sanded to see if a finished product could come out of this flawed piece of briar.
Well, the other day, I picked it up and resumed shaping and sanding. Much to my surprise, all of the imperfections faded away as I sanded this little beauty. Amazingly, it turned out to be one of my favorite pipes I have ever made.
