The handmade smoking pipes below are currently available.
Gambler Series Collector's set
Please click on a picture for a detailed description.
Dear pipe smoker, welcome to my website and thank you for your interest in my work.
The new, unsmoked smoking pipes I present below are all unique creations, handcrafted with care in my workshop. Even the stems and the rings are handmade.
I am not a reseller, nor a "production facility". I make them all by myself and I give each individual pipe the attention and time it needs, in order to leave you fully satisfied.
If you are interested in any of the smoking pipes below, please send me a message via the contact form.
I accept paypal and bank transfer and I ship worldwide via registered mail.
I can also create comission pipes for you at very reasonable prices. Just let me know what you are looking for or check my gallery to see some of the smoking pipes I have created in the past.
Thank you and sweet smokes!
New to smoking pipes? Here are my tips for beginner pipe smokers:
Handmade smoking pipes vs. factory pipes?
Factory pipes are made in production facilities with partially automated procedures that have been optimised for maximum output. There are a lot of different quality grades there, and as with most things, you usually get what you pay for. Very low cost basket pipes will probably have lower quality materials, which will wear and tear after long term use. They will also often have aesthetic and mechanical flaws that may affect your smoking experience negatively. e.g. holes filed with putty, chemicals for finishing, wrong drilling. A beginner pipe smoker probably won't notice - until they have held in their hands and smoked a quality smoking pipe for a direct comparison. However high priced factory pipes like Dunhill, Castello, Barling etc. will sometimes cost even more than a handmade pipe. Make your research.
Factory pipes have limited shapes and they are replicated by thousands. Handmade smoking pipes are little pieces of art, made individually by an independent artist from scratch, with a lot more attention to every single step of the process (there are over 130 pipe making stages), so that the final outcome is as close to perfection as it gets. There is really no limit to the variety of shapes offered as there is no limit to human imagination. When buying a smoking pipe directly from its creator, you have long lasting support and someone that you can always consult with, because you are talking to the person who made your pipe and not a support employee at a huge company. Furthermore, it makes a pipe smoker proud to include something fully handcrafted and unique in their collection. And as with all art, prices can vary a lot, and at some point they won't reflect the quality of the pipe any more but rather the collector's value. The quality of the materials I use for my pipes is exactly the same as of the most expensive pipes you can find out there.
What shape to choose?
Clearly this depends on your personal taste. It is a question of aesthetics as well as handling - how well the pipe "sits" in your hands, if you prefer to hold it, or let it hang from your mouth (in that case you also need to consider the weight). Do you like a big size pipe, or rather a small one? There are of course differences to how various pipes smoke, and they do not depend only on the shape per se, but also on the pipe mechanics and other factors.
Notice that a straight shank will be easier to clean.
But as a beginner pipe smoker, you should not worry about it that much. Just pick one you like and enjoy. With time you may develop more specialized preferences.
If you need consultation on that, do not hesitate to contact me.
What wood type to choose?
Please choose a pipe that is made of briar, or olive or morta wood. These wood types are best suitable for smoking pipes because they are very durable, resistant to heat, release moisture and do not release toxins, tannines and wood juices. So my advice to you: wood is what matters most.
What is a Reverse Calabash pipe?
It is a pipe featuring two chambers instead of one. This functionality allows for the pipe to cool down the smoke more before it reaches your mouth, for a more pleasant smoking experience.
Filter or no filter?
Bare in mind that when you are smoking a pipe, you are not supposed to inhale the smoke. That said, a filter will certainly add an element of protection. However, smoking without a filter will help you taste the smoke better and offer a more intense and authentic smoking experience.
Rusticated / sandblasted pipes vs. smooth ones?
Rustication is often used to cover some minor flaws on the surface of the wood. That does not mean rusticated pipes are lower quality. There are many individual rustication techniques that apply a special texture to the pipe. Sandblasting is used to create a "rugged" texture and it is really a question of personal taste whether you should choose a smooth or sandblasted pipe. Wood is a natural product and briar pieces that are absolutely smooth are a bit more rare and usually higher priced than rusticated ones.
Tools
You will need smoking pipe cleaners. You will also need a tamper - it is a small tool with which you press the tobacco in the chamber, so that it is more dense and burns better.
Any other tips?
You can smoke your pipe once or twice daily. After that it needs to "rest" for at least a 24-hour period, because smoking releases tobacco juices and your pipe needs to dry.
Pipe tobacco types
A common question of beginner pipe smokers is what kind of tobacco should they use for their smoking pipe. There are indeed so many different blends out there in the market, that one would not know where to start. Therefore, I have gathered some info on the subject, that will hopefully help you understand some of the differences and chose some to start with. Of course, it is quite difficult to describe taste so I recommend that you try out various types and blends, so that you decide which ones you like best.
Virginia
Virginia is the most popular tobacco type for pipe smoking - and the sweetest one. It contains a lot of natural sugar and has a mild taste. It comes in a range of colors and variations. Typically, the lighter colors have a fresher taste, whereas the darker ones have a deeper taste.
All Virginia tobaccos are produced by flue-curing and they all stem from the same type of seed. This is what makes them a “Virginia” tobacco, not their place of origin. The differences in color are a result from their processing.
Burley
Burley is an air-cured tobacco, with a dry, not very tense taste that might remind you of wood, nut or chocolate. It is often used in aromatic tobacco blends, because it absorbs the flavorings. It has a significant amount in nicotine.
Cavendish
Cavendish tobacco is named after Sir Thomas Cavendish. It is being heat treated with fire or steam and then subjected to heavy pressure, resulting in a sweet taste with a moist texture. So it is not a new type of tobacco per se, but it rather refers to the treatment method and it is usually made of Virginia, Burley or Maryland tobacco - or a combination of those. It comes in lot of different flavors like rum, maple, sugar, chocolate, licorice, honey, vanilla, walnut, fruit.
Latakia
This tobacco originally comes from Syria, but is now mainly being produced in Cyprus. The leaves are hung-dried and cured with smoke that comes from controlled fires, whereas special types of wood and several herbs are used in the process. This results in a very spicy, rich and exotic flavor. Again, Latakia does not refer to a type of tobacco, but rather to the curing process.
Oriental
Oriental tobacco was also known as Turkish tobacco, because it originates from the Ottoman Empire. Today it is being produced not only in Turkey but also in Greece, Bulgaria, Egypt and elsewhere. The tobacco plants grow in dry and warm environments and develop a protective wax-layer, that gives this tobacco its characteristic aroma. The leaves are sun-dried and the end result has a very intense aroma and taste. Some types of Oriental tobacco would be Samsun, Izmir, Xanthi and Cavalla, Yenidji, Bursa.
Perique
This tobacco known as the “truffle of all tobaccos”. It is only grown and processed in Saint James Parish, Louisiana. It is being cured with a very special process that is known as pressure fermentation. In the beginning the leaves are hang dried, but before they are completely dry they are partially moistened again, rolled in packages, placed in oak-barrels and left to ferment under high-pressure, that forces all the air out. Once in a while some pressure is released and a bit of air is allowed in the leaves. The process lasts a year and the end result is a very dark colored, very strong-taste tobacco with a soury, fruity aroma. It also contains a lot of nicotine and is very hard to smoke pure.
Kentucky
This tobacco is similar to Burley, but instead of air-cured it is fire-cured, much like Latakia. This results in a very smoky taste as well as a high nicotine content.
Aromatic vs. non-aromatic tobacco
Aromatic tobaccos result when casings (flavors) are added to the tobacco during the curing process. Some typical flavor examples for tobacco would be chocolate, vanilla, cherry, rum, apple, liquor, strawberry, caramel etc. Further varieties of aromatic tobaccos would be “semi-aromatic” or “lightly-aromatic”, that refer to the amount of added flavor.
Non-aromatic tobaccos does not mean that they are devoid of aroma, but that no chemical flavor has been added to them, so the taste is completely natural and results from the plant and the curing process. A special type of non-aromatic tobacco is the “English Blend”, which, unlike what the name might suggest, mostly contains Oriental tobaccos and especially Latakia. The strength of the mixture depends on the content of Latakia included in the blend, resulting in mild-, medium-, or full-bodied English blend varieties.
Tobacco Cut Methods
More questions?
Feel free to contact me on facebook and message me any question you like. I am happy to help, free of charge!
Handmade smoking pipes vs. factory pipes?
Factory pipes are made in production facilities with partially automated procedures that have been optimised for maximum output. There are a lot of different quality grades there, and as with most things, you usually get what you pay for. Very low cost basket pipes will probably have lower quality materials, which will wear and tear after long term use. They will also often have aesthetic and mechanical flaws that may affect your smoking experience negatively. e.g. holes filed with putty, chemicals for finishing, wrong drilling. A beginner pipe smoker probably won't notice - until they have held in their hands and smoked a quality smoking pipe for a direct comparison. However high priced factory pipes like Dunhill, Castello, Barling etc. will sometimes cost even more than a handmade pipe. Make your research.
Factory pipes have limited shapes and they are replicated by thousands. Handmade smoking pipes are little pieces of art, made individually by an independent artist from scratch, with a lot more attention to every single step of the process (there are over 130 pipe making stages), so that the final outcome is as close to perfection as it gets. There is really no limit to the variety of shapes offered as there is no limit to human imagination. When buying a smoking pipe directly from its creator, you have long lasting support and someone that you can always consult with, because you are talking to the person who made your pipe and not a support employee at a huge company. Furthermore, it makes a pipe smoker proud to include something fully handcrafted and unique in their collection. And as with all art, prices can vary a lot, and at some point they won't reflect the quality of the pipe any more but rather the collector's value. The quality of the materials I use for my pipes is exactly the same as of the most expensive pipes you can find out there.
What shape to choose?
Clearly this depends on your personal taste. It is a question of aesthetics as well as handling - how well the pipe "sits" in your hands, if you prefer to hold it, or let it hang from your mouth (in that case you also need to consider the weight). Do you like a big size pipe, or rather a small one? There are of course differences to how various pipes smoke, and they do not depend only on the shape per se, but also on the pipe mechanics and other factors.
Notice that a straight shank will be easier to clean.
But as a beginner pipe smoker, you should not worry about it that much. Just pick one you like and enjoy. With time you may develop more specialized preferences.
If you need consultation on that, do not hesitate to contact me.
What wood type to choose?
Please choose a pipe that is made of briar, or olive or morta wood. These wood types are best suitable for smoking pipes because they are very durable, resistant to heat, release moisture and do not release toxins, tannines and wood juices. So my advice to you: wood is what matters most.
What is a Reverse Calabash pipe?
It is a pipe featuring two chambers instead of one. This functionality allows for the pipe to cool down the smoke more before it reaches your mouth, for a more pleasant smoking experience.
Filter or no filter?
Bare in mind that when you are smoking a pipe, you are not supposed to inhale the smoke. That said, a filter will certainly add an element of protection. However, smoking without a filter will help you taste the smoke better and offer a more intense and authentic smoking experience.
Rusticated / sandblasted pipes vs. smooth ones?
Rustication is often used to cover some minor flaws on the surface of the wood. That does not mean rusticated pipes are lower quality. There are many individual rustication techniques that apply a special texture to the pipe. Sandblasting is used to create a "rugged" texture and it is really a question of personal taste whether you should choose a smooth or sandblasted pipe. Wood is a natural product and briar pieces that are absolutely smooth are a bit more rare and usually higher priced than rusticated ones.
Tools
You will need smoking pipe cleaners. You will also need a tamper - it is a small tool with which you press the tobacco in the chamber, so that it is more dense and burns better.
Any other tips?
You can smoke your pipe once or twice daily. After that it needs to "rest" for at least a 24-hour period, because smoking releases tobacco juices and your pipe needs to dry.
Pipe tobacco types
A common question of beginner pipe smokers is what kind of tobacco should they use for their smoking pipe. There are indeed so many different blends out there in the market, that one would not know where to start. Therefore, I have gathered some info on the subject, that will hopefully help you understand some of the differences and chose some to start with. Of course, it is quite difficult to describe taste so I recommend that you try out various types and blends, so that you decide which ones you like best.
Virginia
Virginia is the most popular tobacco type for pipe smoking - and the sweetest one. It contains a lot of natural sugar and has a mild taste. It comes in a range of colors and variations. Typically, the lighter colors have a fresher taste, whereas the darker ones have a deeper taste.
All Virginia tobaccos are produced by flue-curing and they all stem from the same type of seed. This is what makes them a “Virginia” tobacco, not their place of origin. The differences in color are a result from their processing.
Burley
Burley is an air-cured tobacco, with a dry, not very tense taste that might remind you of wood, nut or chocolate. It is often used in aromatic tobacco blends, because it absorbs the flavorings. It has a significant amount in nicotine.
Cavendish
Cavendish tobacco is named after Sir Thomas Cavendish. It is being heat treated with fire or steam and then subjected to heavy pressure, resulting in a sweet taste with a moist texture. So it is not a new type of tobacco per se, but it rather refers to the treatment method and it is usually made of Virginia, Burley or Maryland tobacco - or a combination of those. It comes in lot of different flavors like rum, maple, sugar, chocolate, licorice, honey, vanilla, walnut, fruit.
Latakia
This tobacco originally comes from Syria, but is now mainly being produced in Cyprus. The leaves are hung-dried and cured with smoke that comes from controlled fires, whereas special types of wood and several herbs are used in the process. This results in a very spicy, rich and exotic flavor. Again, Latakia does not refer to a type of tobacco, but rather to the curing process.
Oriental
Oriental tobacco was also known as Turkish tobacco, because it originates from the Ottoman Empire. Today it is being produced not only in Turkey but also in Greece, Bulgaria, Egypt and elsewhere. The tobacco plants grow in dry and warm environments and develop a protective wax-layer, that gives this tobacco its characteristic aroma. The leaves are sun-dried and the end result has a very intense aroma and taste. Some types of Oriental tobacco would be Samsun, Izmir, Xanthi and Cavalla, Yenidji, Bursa.
Perique
This tobacco known as the “truffle of all tobaccos”. It is only grown and processed in Saint James Parish, Louisiana. It is being cured with a very special process that is known as pressure fermentation. In the beginning the leaves are hang dried, but before they are completely dry they are partially moistened again, rolled in packages, placed in oak-barrels and left to ferment under high-pressure, that forces all the air out. Once in a while some pressure is released and a bit of air is allowed in the leaves. The process lasts a year and the end result is a very dark colored, very strong-taste tobacco with a soury, fruity aroma. It also contains a lot of nicotine and is very hard to smoke pure.
Kentucky
This tobacco is similar to Burley, but instead of air-cured it is fire-cured, much like Latakia. This results in a very smoky taste as well as a high nicotine content.
Aromatic vs. non-aromatic tobacco
Aromatic tobaccos result when casings (flavors) are added to the tobacco during the curing process. Some typical flavor examples for tobacco would be chocolate, vanilla, cherry, rum, apple, liquor, strawberry, caramel etc. Further varieties of aromatic tobaccos would be “semi-aromatic” or “lightly-aromatic”, that refer to the amount of added flavor.
Non-aromatic tobaccos does not mean that they are devoid of aroma, but that no chemical flavor has been added to them, so the taste is completely natural and results from the plant and the curing process. A special type of non-aromatic tobacco is the “English Blend”, which, unlike what the name might suggest, mostly contains Oriental tobaccos and especially Latakia. The strength of the mixture depends on the content of Latakia included in the blend, resulting in mild-, medium-, or full-bodied English blend varieties.
Tobacco Cut Methods
- Flake or Navy Cut – Tobacco packaged as large, flat flakes. Can be folded or rubbed out to separate the flakes. You can also try and smoke the whole flake.
- Curly Cut – A type of flake cut with a coin-shape.
- Ready Rubbed – A flake-cut tobacco that has been already rubbed out.
- Ribbon Cut – Tobacco cut into long, thin ribbons, ready to be smoked.
- Shag – Same as Ribbon but even finer.
- Cake Or Plug – Layers of tobacco pressed against each other, that look like a slice of cake. The cake or plug must be rubbed out for smoking, however try not to separate the layers of tobacco.
More questions?
Feel free to contact me on facebook and message me any question you like. I am happy to help, free of charge!
