Happy International Pipe Smoking Day 2026!!

When I first began smoking a pipe in my 20's I wasn't part of any pipe smoking community. It was only a young man, a pipe and some sea farer's type blend with hints of vanilla and whiskey. I enjoyed a pipe while  laying in my hammock underneath a pepper tree on my ranch. I'm not sure why I quit smoking a pipe not long afterwards. Perhaps it was the tobacco choice, the pipe, or something else? I believe it was the "something else that caused me to cease smoking. After years of reflection and taking up pipe smoking again in my fifties I found two important aspects worth considering.

First of all, smoking a pipe is personal. It's a personal journey where one enjoys experimenting with different tobacco blends and various pipes. The second part is community. If I wasn't part of a pipe smoking community I would miss out on what other minds are discovering about their personal experiences. I would also miss out on sharing my life with another soul.

Pipe smoking is personal AND it's vicariously accomplished in community. This is the main reason that I am working on our local pipe club and staying in relationships with many pipe people around the world. People not the pipe is what matters most. The pipe is the vehicle, I'm the passenger and many others are driving. Let's steer this hobby into the next generation with enthusiasm and love of the brotherhood in 2026!

Peace 
​Paul

I have been speaking with a few people about the club and we are in the beginning stages of putting together something really special. A community here locally in Bend where folks can share their love of the pipe together in a nonjudgmental setting and on a regular basis. There will be tobacco tastings, slow smoke contests, food, drink and much more! Currently we are looking at the end of April possibly for a launch date. Stay tuned, more to follow!

Having habits is crucial in Pipe making! Over the past 14 years of pipe carving I have found two things to be absolutely critical to keeping my pipes consistently accurate in their smoking capabilities. 

First, putting artistry aside for a moment, pipe carving is simply a journey of introducing little habits/steps along the way. For instance I remember the first time I began to put some rubbing compound onto a pipe cleaner and running that through the airway to polish the inside making for a smoother flow of smoke and removing any tiny fragments of material. Just one tiny step that takes only a few seconds. Then passing a dry pipe cleaner through to make sure no compound was left. Little habits, each one contributing to the overall production of a pipe.

Secondly, release any bad habits or steps that may not be necessary. I found it simply a better strategy to square up the blocks and draw my lines directly onto them instead of making a paper template first. I just found that I could be more accurate that way for me personally. I know other carvers that continue to make paper templates and that's fine for them and works for them. I, however, found it one little thing/habit I didn't need in my pipe carving journey. 

Over years the solid habits that I incorporate into my processes have become part of my muscle memory. The habits I no longer use are but a memory. 

Going into 2026, I'm proud to be 2&1/2 years sober from Alcohol (definitely a bad habit!), we joined a new church this year and love being part of that community (a good habit indeed!) More good habits I hope to impart this year are to be more patient, more forgiving, more kind, more cardio in my fitness goals, stronger in my convictions yet more open minded to others convictions to understand, and so on and so on...

For many of you that visit my website and are wondering just what I will receive when I purchase a Paulspipe, here's some information.

First of all you get a money back guarantee that the pipe you receive will function properly. Entering my 14th year of pipe making I have only had two pipes returned to me and those were during the first pipes I made! One pipe that was returned was because of a misunderstanding of pipe filter size, and the other pipe is one of my best smoking pipes so I don't know what was up with that? Customer service is top priority to me and I am available to discuss any discrepancies that may occur and will correct immediately. 

Secondly, each piece of wood I hand craft will be free of any internal flaws. I refuse to let a pipe out of my shop if it doesn't meet my strict standards. For instance If I see an inclusion inside the bowl I won't cover it with a bowl coat to hide the imperfection. 

Third, My Hand cut mouth pieces are flawless. Each pipe will have an unrestricted airflow allowing for a perfect smoke even single time! I spend hours meticulously paying close attention to every detail. I want my buttons clean, bite zone comfortable, with no visible scratches. The insides are polished and each pipe passes a pipe cleaner.

Fourth, My bowl coats are simple three ingredients with food grade charcoal being the main part. I rub the coats  into the bowl walls to get a coat that is even and smooth. The airways are free of bowl coat so you can see my precision drilling coming into the bottom of the bowl perfectly. The bowl coats are tasteless even to the most discerning pipe connoisseur and aide in creating a cake. 

Fifth, I pride myself and using only the finest materials that I can obtain. The finest Croatian morta I use is ONLY available to me as an American pipe carver. This is a very special wood and tends to cost more on the average.

Six, I hand make all my leather pipe socks. I source fine leather here locally in Bend, Oregon from Maverick Leather. Each pipe bag is then cut to fit the individual pipe. I hand punch each hole and double stitch with waxed line. The top is secured with paracord and beads. These are very durable soft leather bags that protect your precious pipe from harm while storing them away. 

Seventh, Finally, I include a hand written note, some high quality decals and maybe some other swag that I get from time to time like buttons, etc. 

I want each piece I send away to be treasured as I pour myself into each one. My main goal is that the customer is completely satisfied with their hard earned money. If the customer isn't happy I'm not happy, period. Most people tell me that the pipes they receive have exceeded their expectations! That keeps me motivated and inspired to create more!! Thank you for visiting and perhaps I ca serve you up a fine tobacco pipe one day!
Blessings, 
​Paul

 "I just know when I pray coincidences happen" 

I don't recall where I heard this quote, but it instantly became a reality for me when I began to practice it. Here's one instance recently where a coincidence followed by prayer turned the direction of where I was headed.

In 2024 around October I began preparing for the  Annual Chicago Pipe Show in May. One of the projects I worked very had on was a 7 day set of Christmas pipes that you may have seen. When May arrived my wife and I became sick with covid and I had to cancel going to the show. All year long I carried this set around with me trying to sell it in various places with no avail. As Christmas approached this year I thought this gorgeous set of smooth pipes would get picked up quickly. However even with my sales tactics and marketing the set stood in my office, untouched. I even put the set on sale asking 1/2 of what it normally cost and still no sale.

After pondering about this 7 day set I rationalized that It was just too big of a purchase for others? Perhaps it was the economy? Confused and stressed out if I would ever recover my time and effort involved in this project It finally occurred to me that I hadn't even considered praying about it. So I began. 

Then some financial decisions also began to determine the importance of the sale. My wife lost her job, and at the same time our wonderful little church community sent an email out saying they wanted to bless the staff with a bonus. We were praying how much we would be able to gift our beloved church friends. and then it happened.

The quote came to my mind and I furthered my prayer telling the Lord I would give half of the pipe sale to the church staff. Immediately a local friend and worship leader who lived about an hour south of us said he would purchase the set! As I received this news my heart was stirred with a renewed confidence. Our prayers do matter, especially when we pray with what we believe Jesus would want for us ultimately. Having my faith stirred with encouragement was what I need more than anything else. The results were we were blessed financially and more importantly spiritually as we cried together thanking the Lord. The staff was blessed and the owner of the pipe set was blessed. 

I just know personally that when we pray, coincidences really do happen. I hope your heart is encouraged reading this and that the Lord shows you how much He loves you and desires to hear from you!

​God bless you  and Merry Christmas from the Menards

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Hello my friends,

I'm am thrilled to announce that I have partnered with the Country Squire Tobacconist in Mississippi. They will be carrying some of my select pipes for sale as well as some of my favorite tobacco blends! So, whether you need a new Paul's Pipe or some delicious tobacco feel free to visit their store! Link below!!

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Here's a quick update on the pipes and other happenings. 

Well, It's been a very busy fall season and now we are already into December! Wow, Time flies! Fall demands a lot of preparation here in the high desert. As we prepare for the colder winter months I'm cleaning out leaf gutters, burning debris, raking up leaves (We have a lot a large Maple trees), blowing out the irrigation lines and RV water lines, prunning trees and shrubs, processing firewood, etc etc. Having the shop here on the property is handy because I can work around the place and still make pipes. 

I'm hoping to soon handoff some of the Bend Pipe Club responsibilities. I can still produce club pipes and attend meetings. This should help a ton with it being a consistent meetup! Details to follow...

Over Thanksgiving we visited family in California and I was able to swim with the grandkids and play games! That was great fun and made us all work up our appetites for the delicious dinner that ensued that afternoon. We brought Kris's 95 year old mom with us and she met up with some cousins. Although a short getaway we all had a wonderful time! 

I Just finished ordering a bunch of pipe making materials and will not be traveling over Christmas/NewYears, but instead I will be busy in Santa's Workshop making all you wonderful folks some sweet pipes! 

​PS Make sure to check out my online store for new arrivals ;)

About 15 years ago I was a regular blogger. Before making pipes, before I was married, before I moved several times and long before the pandemic. 

My blogs consisted of my time spent out on the water fly fishing and my experiences there. It was a period of self reflection and immense emotional and spiritual growth. I had recently lost my father and had my first marriage dissolve. I felt isolated, lonely and afraid. The river provided me with solitude and space to sort out the confusion in my head. 

The river knows my name. My entire life has been consumed with this "working for the grade giver" mentality. Always comparing to others, measuring up, leveraging and seeking to be known and become greater. On the river those things disappear like a faint memory. The water soothes my soul and lets me know I'm part of something larger. Through those trickling creeks and powerful white water streams whispers from those droplets steer my thoughts towards my true north. 

Long before television and radio the rivers existed speaking to us, calling to us, directing us. Like wind the waters flow effortlessly unencumbered by the restrictions that apply to humans. There is a freedom in the water, wind and elemental forces that drive nature. The harshness of water cutting into large granite boulders forming habitats for insects and fish was the same force chiseling away at me. My definitions and labels that I had created for myself are not impressed by these waters. And when I step into it's presence all things inside me beg to be a part of this free flowing existence. 

And so here I am, still longing for my true north. Still returning to rivers and lakes to be reminded of my humanity and seeking the unrestricted forces of nature to mold me into someone only pleasing to Him who made me this way. No grade givers in the river, just welcoming slaps of water against me, pushing me further into myself...