JM Boswell 2009 Partially Rusticated Oom Paul Estate Briar Pipe, Unsmoked

Description

With a legacy spanning several decades, J.M. Boswell has solidified his place as a distinguished artisan among the top of American pipe making. Hailing from Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, Boswell’s journey into the world of pipe craftsmanship began in the early 1970s. Fueled by a passion for both art and tobacco, he embarked on a quest to create affordable pipes that would stand the test of time. Ultimately, Boswell ended up creating pipes that, while comparatively affordable next to other major artisans, would become cult favorites, with his work being highly sought after and selling out almost as quickly as it was (and continues to be) made.

The archetypical Boswell pipe is a little freeform, a little classic, a little large (sometimes more than a little) and very much unique. This one, from 2009, fits that mold perfectl. Blending elements of the traditional Oom Paul and pickaxe shapes, parallels could be drawn between its basic shape and the old Caminetto 176, though Boswell’s design is, arguably, even more assertive, and certainly sharper. For a bowl that ends at a single, spiky point, it seems that wire rustication is the perfect dress, with the narrow striations of this partial finish emphasizing its barbed figure. The rustication is particularly interesting on the bowl’s front, which has me wondering whether there was some grain-following involved, à la Sasieni.

This pipe is completely unsmoked, with an original bowl coating.

 

Details:

Length: 6.1″ / 154.9mm

Bowl Width: 0.87 / 22.09mm

Bowl Depth: 1.88″ / 47.75mm

Weight: 2.1oz / 62g