Description
Todd Brugman Canted Reverse Curve Squat Tomato With Limited Edition Vulcanite Swirl Stem
This is a one-of-a-kind pipe by our in-house pipe maker, Todd Brugman. It is made 100% from the raw materials, by hand, in the LJ Peretti workshop, here in Boston. He only ever uses the highest of quality for materials, including the vulcanite.
His work all comes together creating unique and cohesive pipe designs. This is just one of Brugman’s many unique interpretations of English shape chart pipes incorporating English, Danish and Italian shaping cues in Brugman’s unique “Americana” style; there is clearly a strong yet very unique influence of neo-classical Italian shaping via English shape chart styles with his Danish influences being on the use of & understanding of grain rather than style and/or engineering. His approach, especially with a strong English influence, and many more of Brugman’s unique qualities such as the lack of rustication and more, is something not seen in his contemporaries. He can blend the distinctive and idiosyncratic, grounding the most unique pipes in the familiar. Though contemporary, by definition, he is often described as “contemporary with a timeless aesthetic,” truly anachronistic work.
Brugman states that famous art deco graphic and Industrial designer Raymond Loewy is a big influence on all his pipe design, and that can clearly been seen in this pipes shaping, especially in his recent work over the past year or so. Other big influences that can be seen in his work, as he will often state the early 20th century’s short lived Italian art movement Futurism “especially the work of Umberto Busoni…” Brugman has stated.
Every shaping and compositional decisions by Brugman is deliberate. “It is all by design…from the exact angle of the cant, the thickness and shape transition of the shank, to whether or not the shank has flat or rounded sides, the subtleties of the stain, roundness of any part of the work, the the most minuet subtlety is in the proportions…. “ and so much more.
This pipe, a squat tomato, is short, with a robust bowl by design, has a forward cant, and the stem has a slight bow that flows into a slight bend of the stem. When doing this shaping cue, Brugman calls this a “Reverse Curve,” paying homage to his home town. As for many decades there was a sign on Storrow Drive in Boston that read “reverse curve,” it never made much sense, and there was graffiti on it that changed the sign to “reverse the curse,” that referred to the “curse of the bambino.” After the red sox one the world series the sign was removed, yet is still remembered from all that drove down Storrow Drive in Boston as either the graffiti the city left alone, the curse of the bambino, or why they put a sign saying “reverse curve” in the first place.
The cant not only improves the Engineering, as a draft hole, it’s more centered and gives the pipe a thicker heel, it also, aesthetically speaking, give us a pipe movement. It makes a static object feel more fluid and goose flow and continuity in the design. It has a classic mid century Americana elegance, Is also clearly carries otherwise ineffable contemporary, elegant & timeless “Americana” qualities; the unique qualities one has come to expect from a pipe made by Brugman.
At 5 inches and 34 grams, with Brugman’s “Reverse Curve, this pipe clenches easily and comfortably. The “Reverse Curve” functions like a bent pipe, albeit bending in the opposite directions, as it adjusts the fulcrum point, allowing the pipe to clench easier as it feels lighter. t is a stunning pipe with elegance, and a delicate yet sturdy construction & look.
This pipe is all around engineered perfectly from the way the draft hole to the funneled stem. The chamber size is about that of a Dunhill group wide group 3, it is a wide short chamber.
All of Brugman’s shaping creates a composition that showcases a beautiful and cohesive pipe.
Brugman has become known for his ability to pull out the best and most dynamic grain for from each block he works with; letting the block of briar dictate the shape which he revels and adorns with his hand in his own way. You can clearly see beautiful straight grain around the chamber and along the sides of the shank, complimented by tight birds-eye end grain on the rim, heel, and on the panels of the shank.
…the uniqueness of a pipes grain is what makes the folk art we call pipe making so brilliant, as a pipe is always a collaboration between myself, the pipe maker, and with nature as an artist.
This pipe, Brugman complimented with a stem he hand cut from limited edition vulcanite rods. He will use modern patterns/swirls in his pipes, but is very picky, as he never wants the stem to be louder than the stummel, he feel the should balance yet at the same time, the stummel should be the “star of the show.” He tends to pick neutral colors with an organic swirl pattern, that despite the intrinsic contemporary nature of many of the vulcanite he uses, it still carries the timeless aesthetic that is so often mentioned when speaking of his work.
As one can see, Brugman clearly “paints with his own brush” when creating a pipe, or any work. He also states that the same fine artists that influenced him in his painting from Rembrandt to Willem de Kooning, have equally, along with a long list of pipe makers and styles, influence his pipes and all his art.
Perfectly drilled and engineered, this pipe is as much a precision instrument as it is a work of art.
…just as a painting is not a work of art until it is viewed, a pipe it is not a finished work until it is smoked. Therefore the last brush stroke is applied by its owner who will continue to paint it and enjoy it for life.
Brugman guarantees all of his work against defects for life.
Length: 5″
Bowl Height: 1 3/8″
Chamber Diameter: 7/8″
Weight: 34 Grams
Materials: Briar & Vulcanite
Grade: d
100% made in Boston, USA
Todd Brugman Grading System from Lowest to Highest/Best: T, O, d, dd
Grading is 90% based on the grain, and 10% based on the shaping in regards to difficulty and execution. Also, if there are inclusions in the briar (if there are, they aren’t flaws, just “inclusions” in Brugman’s words, otherwise he wouldn’t sell the pipe. Small black dot that may or may not recess ever so slightly into the pipe. Nothing is hidden, if they exist, one would see them, Brugman doesn’t hide them via fills or photography, he makes sure all angles of the pipe can been seen, he considers them part of the grain, natural) Those can effect the price and the grading. Grading is 100% Brugman’s opinion, as every pipe maker and brand grades differently based on what they view as “perfection.”
Pipes are stamped “T Brugman” followed by the grade, on the left side of the shank. With “LJ Peretti Co” stamped on the right side of the shank. Sometimes all stamps can be on the same side or a different location if the pipe shape doesn’t allow the former.
