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Artikel: A Unique John McGrath Pipe "Christmas Cactus"
Mingkahuna
John McGrath is a pipe maker that I keep coming back to. Iıve known John since before he was a pipe maker, and Iıve watched him progress in his craft. I bought the first pipe that he sold. Iıve watched John succeed, and at times Iıve watched him fail. But after each failure he has bounced back and renewed his efforts, reinvigorated and ready to improve. John is also stubborn, and in the beginning that worked against him, but today I believe that it is very much to his benefit. John is an artist and the stubbornness that I refer to may well be integrity, and but for that attribute I may not own the wonderful pipe that just came into my possession.
A few months back a pipe came up for sale on ebay that really caught my eye. Of course, it was a McGrath, one called a Christmas Cactus. The shape and the finish really connected with me. It could best be described as two organic shaped paneled "pads" adjoining each other, one larger than the other. John made a mistake here calling it a Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridessi) when the shape is actually that of a cactus from the genus Opuntia which are the prickly pears. But, as someone who used to raise and collect succulents Iıll forgive John on that one. No matter what John called the pipe I wanted it. Unfortunately, when the closing of the auction came around I was away from my screen and hadnıt placed my maximum bid, which would have been quite a bit more. Luckily John caught wind of this as I had already asked him about the pipe when it was listed. John said that he would make me one like it. He also showed me the original listing for the pipe on his page http://www.pipe-works.net/gallery/unique3/index.html. I donıt know how I had missed it, but it is a lousy group of photos and maybe it was that rolling menu that makes me seasick (sorry, John). What I didnıt know at the time was that the finish on this pipe and the shape were both experimental, two aspects that would soon be perfected on the pipe delivered to me seen above.
For quite some time whenever I have taken possession of a McGrath certain aspects of the pipe are a given. The construction and the details of a high grade can be assumed to be present, properly executed, and are always confirmed with an examination. This pipe was no different and in some aspects exceed some of his recent work that I have seen. The underside of the shank panel has been left uncarved, and the wood (briar?) ring insert into which the stem is inserted is a fine detail that I love to see. Better yet, the pipe has smoked marvelously from bowl one. That said, there are two aspects of this pipe that are really, really worth noting: the shape and finish.
Back when John was starting out he did some pretty wild shapes. I recall suggesting to John that he should do some more traditional shapes and wait until he was better established before getting too innovative. I think that to a degree John took that advice, but he always kept his hand in creating new shapes and innovating. Iım damn glad that he did. This pipe is a prime example of what his innovation has led to. Okay, so its not everyoneıs kind of shape, but to my eye the design is brilliant. Two differently sized and similarly shaped very organic shapes intersect to create shank and bowl. The concept is simple and extremely effective. The panels along the midline contour add great visual interest and allow for nice thick bowl walls. While it might be interesting to pinch the panels shut creating two more flat disks, the bowl walls would thin, which I wouldnıt want to see. The shape is to my eye very Japanese, and just goes to show that there is something new under the sun. The stem work really sets the pipe off. Check out the underslung contours of the stem.
Speaking of sun, the red finish that you see on this pipe John calls "Sundried Chilli". While it reminds me a bit of Jody Davisı Cardinal finish, this one is more of a deep burnt red well represented by Johnıs chosen name. While the color of the pipe is stunning the real star of the show is the carve. Yes, I said "carve", this pipe is not a blast despite the fact that the birdıs eye and straight grain stands out three-dimensionally in relief. The effect really is stunning. The little swirls of birdıs eye on the side panels (this piece of wood might have been a great blowfish) stand out like little volcanoes, and the straight grain radiating from the birds eye is not only visible underneath but is represented three-dimensionally. I canıt tell if the actual straight grain is represented or is a carve effect that has been applied to this area. John knows for sure, but the effect is stunning either way. John has been working on this technique for over six months and his work has paid off in a finishing technique that is effective, utilizes the natural characteristics of the wood, and isnıt gimmicky.
Thanks John for a damn fine pipe. I hope to see more of this shape, finish and carve in the future. A though occurs to me, possibly turning the bowl 90 degrees leaving the shank pad as is so itıs a squash shape bowl? Or even turning both pads 90% degrees for a real squash shape. Naw, never mind ;-) For a look at more of John's work go to http://www.pipe-works.net/.
This review with a picture of the pipe, appears on the Ming-Kahuna site.
(17.07.2004)
