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 was an arduous process. I still have a few manzanita pipes that I kept for myself and love the natural color of the wood and similar grain structure as Mediterranean briar.
Since that first year I switched to other woods such as Olive and Italian briar. I quickly found these woods even more complimentary to work with.
A good friend of mine and customer of many of my pipes introduced me to Davorin (a well known Croatian pipe maker). Davorin works mostly with Croatian bog oak and has introduced me to this particular morta wood. Although I have used this wood for many years now, obtaining it has become difficult these days.
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 shapes. As a mentor has pointed out ,"You make pipes that are simple in design, yet not easily duplicated with extraordinary finishes. Pipes that smoke properly first and are pleasing to see."
I have many friend's around the globe that have been collecting my pipes since 2012. Some have huge collections of my work and continue to grow them whenever they notice a piece that speaks to them. A handful of pipe collectors have amassed as many as 60 or more of my pipes. Obviously, they have discovered something very precious!
I have worked hard at my craft for many years now and still keep my prices as low as possible. With supplies of briar wood dwindling and increased material prices increasing along with inflation paulspipes still continues to offer the best smoking pipes for the best price!
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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