Pipe Making Countries: The Big Seven?

mso489

Lifer

Feb 21, 2013

41,210

60,454

• Sep 7, 2013

• #1

Just turning it over in my mind, I think of seven countries that are major pipe makers.

These would be the U.S.; England; Italy; Denmark; France; Ireland; and Turkey (Meerschaum).

I know there are a number of other countries that manufacture pipes, but not on

the same scale and not exporting so many. Like Germany, The Netherlands, The Czech

Republic, Greece, and others. Is there any other country in the major category? Is it the Big Eight?

Or Nine? Or more?

 

captainsousie

Lifer

Aug 1, 2012

4,601

5,157

• Sep 7, 2013

• #2

It probably doesn't meet the criteria but I would put Japan in the top countries bracket just because of Tsuge and Hiroyuki Tokutomi.

 

papipeguy

Lifer

Jul 31, 2010

15,778

35

Bethlehem, Pa.

• Sep 7, 2013

• #3

Very thoughtful list. Although, aside from Dr. Grabow, who else in the USA is a major producer? There are many artisans and they should be counted if you consider their combined output but I would think that the USA would be 6th on a list. France, Italy, Denmark, England and Ireland would head such a list.

It is an interesting excercise and I'm anxious to hear from the others what their take is on this subject.

Must rest brain now. Ah, there's my pipe and scotch.

 

pylorns

Lifer

Aug 20, 2013

2,116

353

Austin, Texas

www.thepipetool.com

• Sep 7, 2013

• #4

Missouri Meerschaum pipes come to mind as another major US vendor.

 

mso489

Lifer

Feb 21, 2013

41,210

60,454

• Sep 7, 2013

• #5

My list of big seven pipe producing countries wasn't an attempt at putting them in order by

volume produced, and perhaps including the U.S. at all was just national pride, but I think

Dr. Grabow, Missouri Meerschaum, and Benton would qualify the U.S. for the list. Perhaps

Canada should also be on there for Brigham among others, which is a good pipe and widely

exported ( I believe). The U.S. pipe maker Benton is downright elusive. I think they are located

in Texas (or Florida?). They make the house pipes for Iwan Ries, and though sold at low-end

prices, presumably to introduce people to pipe smoking in an encouraging manner, the pipes

are nicely made, good lightweight briar, well crafted and drilled. Because they are sold as

Iwan Ries Exclusives, I call them Chicago Dunhills; they aren't comparable to Dunhills, of course,

but they will make most pipe smokers quite happy. Lots of other countries make good pipes,

though ... Scotland ... others.

 

L

lestrout

Lifer

Jan 28, 2010

1,762

300

Chester County, PA

• Sep 7, 2013

• #6

re the US, forget ye not Kaywoodie.
hp

les

 

M

metalmilitia

Starting to Get Obsessed

Aug 14, 2013

128

0

• Sep 7, 2013

• #7

Kevin has a sticky thread loaded with American pipe makers. not sure how much volume they produce though.

 

bigvan

Lifer

Mar 22, 2011

2,192

12

• Sep 8, 2013

• #8

To me it's not about volume, but about creativity. To me there are the Big 4: Denmark, England, Italy and the US. Each has a distinctive "school" or style (though the lines blur as they cross borders).

 

oldredbeard

Part of the Furniture Now

Jul 20, 2012

628

1

• Sep 8, 2013

• #9

Let's not forget Edwards in the U.S. made pipes also.

 

northernneil

Lifer

Jun 1, 2013

1,390

1

• Sep 8, 2013

• #10

I have been lead to believe St. Claude France is more or less the pipe making capital of the world. Is there not something like 5 or 6 makers / carvers in that little town alone? I know of Butz-Choquin, Chacom, Sebastian Beo, and Genod for sure,and I am sure there are more even though I cannot think of them right now.

 

cigrmaster

Lifer

May 26, 2012

20,249

57,280

66

Sarasota Florida

• Sep 8, 2013

• #11

To me there is only one country worthy of our attention. USA USA USA USA.
Buy home grown or go home I say.
Seriously though, I think Bigvan has it right with the big 4 in terms of style and quality. I don't think quantity is very important.

 

drwatson

Lifer

Aug 3, 2010

1,721

5

toledo

• Sep 8, 2013

• #12

Boswell, Tim West.

 

petergunn

Starting to Get Obsessed

Mar 3, 2013

183

2

• Sep 9, 2013

• #13

There can be only one England

 

mso489

Lifer

Feb 21, 2013

41,210

60,454

• Sep 9, 2013

• #14

I am attracted to pipes from the non-major nations, though I don't have any, yet. Hilsons, which are

sort of shared by The Netherlands and Belgium, somehow, are still available. Dutch Big Bens.

Does anyone have the Greek pipe PTM Amadeus, or the high-level version which is just PTM?

There seem to be a lot of less celebrated pipes from "other" nations that are better than average.

I like the international aspect of pipes, though I have a strong representation from the good old

U.S.A. including a Dr. Grabow, a Kaywoodie, MM cobs, and four pipes carved right here in my home

state, two of them of Mountain Laurel. I'm thinking global but shopping local.