Hello folks!
My journey into pipe making began before social media exploded on the scene. There was relatively little information about the art of carving pipes. I purchased a book (Pimo's) from Tim West and started with some files, sandpaper and a hand drill. The wood I first began using was locally sourced Manzanita from the Santa Cruz mountains. I lived only minutes away from where the Pacific Briar Wood Company that sourced manzanita burls for some large pipe making companies during WW11 when Briar wood wasn't readily available.
The process of cutting manzanita into blocks, boiling the wood several times to remove bitterness and excessive oils, and slow curing took a long time and I found it much easier to use briar so I switched. I still have a few manzanita pipes that I kept for myself and love the natural color of the wood and it's similar grain structure as briar.
As my journey continued I found a few carvers that indulged their knowledge. One man in particular took me under his wing and showed me how to work with another wood type. Morta. Davorin is in Croatia and his career of making pipes spans over 50 years from this exceptional bog oak! The small family owned mill in Croatia still in operation builds unique furniture for castles in Europe and high end custom homes. Less than 1% of their wood is used for pipes and undergoes strict processing and testing.
So now I began using Croatian morta and briar while abandoning the manzanita wood. I soon discovered Italian olive wood and found it also made incredible pipes. I then began to obtain more tools and built my first bonified pipe shop in 2012.
As the years passed by more knowledge about pipe making became more public and with social media promoting the craft many more carvers began to make pipes. Although incomplete resources publicly were being produced it caused more people to do research on their own. The best way to obtain this knowledge comes from being in relationships with other carvers. I began to extrude as much information from several trusted pipe carvers and suddenly my hobby had me so busy I decided to create a business.
Since then we relocated to central Oregon where we now call home and after three wood shop builds I still continue to make great pipes that are traditional, inventive, aesthetically pleasing and wonderful smokers. I have many friend's around the globe that have been collecting my pipes for over a decade. Some have huge collections of my work and continue to grow them whenever they notice a piece that speaks to them.
Although my social media presence has toned down my love for pipe carving has not waned at all. I used to have YouTubes, Facebook, and several instagram accounts. I have done interviews and spoken of my craft with hundreds of people over the years. Lessening my online presence was strategic in nature by allowing me a better work/life balance. We live in a beautiful area and as we're trying to take advantage of all it has to offer. Fly fishing, hiking, and camping are fun activities that we engage in regularly. When I'm not in the shop making pipes, working on the property and taking care of the dogs we get out in nature.
Honestly, pipe making is a great hobby/business. It affords me the opportunity to forge new relationships, cultivate deeper ones, and purchase pipe making supplies. One will find that not only do my pipes smoke perfectly, but they are also truly inspired pieces of art.
I have worked hard at my craft for many years now and kept my prices as low as possible. With supplies of briar wood dwindling and increased material prices increasing along with inflation I still continue to be very competitive with my experience and unique crafting styles!
I'm extremely grateful for all the people I meet and who have encouraged and supported me all these years! It is the people, and the connection of the pipes who have made my life full and happy, so thank you for being a part of my humble little business!! Feel free to email me at [email protected]. I look forward to meeting with you and discussing your next dream pipe!!
Sincerely,
Paul
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