Artisan Pipe Maker Joe Nelson Interview

By Bob Tate

Joe Nelson of Old Nellie Pipes and Nelson Guitars

Joe Nelson is the owner of Old Nellie Pipes and Nelson Guitars. He is an artisan pipe maker as well as a luthier and resides in Fond Du Lac County, WI. For those of you who might not know, a luthier is a stringed instrument builder/repairman. He has been making guitars for 14 years and pipes for 5 years.

While we were at the 2010 Richmond Pipe Show, we had the opportunity to talk with Joe and he took the time out of his busy day to have an interview us. Joe has just recently started using a new method in his pipe making. He is now oil curing his pipes. He explained the advantage of oil curing during our interview.
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Cornell & Diehl Releases New Blends at Richmond Pipe Show 2010

By Bob Tate

At the 2010 Richmond Pipe Show, Cornell & Diehl introduced four new blends. Two of the blends are under the Cornell & Diehl label, one of them is a new G.L. Pease blend, and the last is a new blend for the Hermit Tobaccos.
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Artisan Pipe Maker Bob Hayes Interview

By Bob Tate

Artisan Pipe Maker Bob Hayes

The 2010 Richmond Pipe Show, as always, had quite a few artisan pipe makers in attendance and one of them was Bob Hayes. Bob Hayes attends most of the pipes shows and he is also the son-in-law of Craig and Patty Tarler of Cornell & Diehl. His table is normally set up right next to the Cornell & Diehl tables, so when you are at a show, just look for the Cornell & Diehl tables and you will find Bob Hayes and his pipes. Bob has received the Triangle Area Pipe Smokers (TAPS) Professional Pipe Carver of the Year Award at the Raleigh Pipe Show for three consecutive years; 2008, 2009, and 2010.
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