If I recall, his shop burned down 4-5 years ago and the community helped get him back running with tooling and lost supplies as well. He certainly has had a following for a while.
Are Pipe Makers Looney?
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I generally agree with those questioning the high prices that some “new” or less experienced carvers are asking for their pipes. But, when you factor in the cost of the materials (assuming they are high quality), design and actual production time; charging a few hundred dollars for a handmade item may not be totally out of line. If they are using inferior briar and pre molded stems or trying to pass off a Muxaing or similar pipe as one of their own that is another thing all together. Like anything a pipe is worth what someone will pay for it. Personally I’d rather stick with brand names that I know have delivered consistent quality or commission a pipe from a carver whose work I have seen and admire.
Never heard of Orton but Neal Yarm's workshop was destroyed a few years ago but many people chipped in and helped him get back on his feet.
There’s a thread it seems on another pipe forum about it. Looks like it was October 2020 but I recall seeing it all over IG with people pitching into help.
I think a lot of these guys not all but a number have been doing this stuff more locally and now can reach a wider audience then before. A lot of the names seem eastern European. From my understanding a few of these guys have been trying to make a name for years but until social media really had trouble making it stick. And honestly helps when you can remember the name.Like I said, this was literally 2 minutes of looking in one group. Those were all just from yesterday, in one group, there a a bunch of groups. There are 100s or more that if you Google them, it goes straight to FB.
My point is, "back in the day" there were maybe 3-4 new pipe makers a year. Now there are hundreds.
Ive also noticed a lot of these guys are making pipes in shapes made famous by legendary pipe makers. They dont even hide it, they say right up front this is an "interpretation" of a Hans Former Nielson shape, but its identical in shape and size, not an interpretation.
The ONLY time I've seen that is when Lars Ivarsson made a few of his father Sixtens shapes years ago, as a tribute. Most of these guys are making "Danish" freehand shapes. Which makes me believe they cannot make traditional shapes, which are difficult to get right. In my opinion, if you cannot make a perfect Billiard, you should not be charging $1000+.
I feel bad for the truly talented guys trying to make it. Many most likely get buried in the mountain of new carvers.
Just as a sorta thing......
When I started rescuing old cars from the crusher almost 40 years ago. I was going through them pretty quickly. It was just a hobby, but buyers were waiting in line. Now, everyone and their brother are doing it. If I can find a survivor car, I have to advertise country wide for a buyer. About 5 years ago it became very popular for car guys with basic knowledge of auto repair to find snd fix old cars. Which is great, that's why I started doing it decades ago. Its tough to watch a 1966 El Camino in great shape get crushed!
Sorry for the rambling in this response, it was just easier than making another post.
My point is, and I guess its not coming through....there are a LOT of these guys. Every day there are more.
Names are really unimportant when their "gallery" has four pipes, and they want $1500 for a pipe. No testimonials, no happy customers, no reviews, and when Googled their name comes back to the FB page with the four pipes....nothing else.
These pipes can be found on Temu for $1.59. This person says they made them. I have not inquired, but im sure they want hundreds of dollars. Ive never seen a pipe with these brass bowls and questionable materials for more than a few bucks.
Im sure some are legit, my point is there are hundreds of these guys pushing extremely expensive pipes with near zero background.
Just inquire about a few of these pipes. You may get some sticker shock. The prices ive been getting are between $600-$2650.
And again....no reviews, no testimonials, and only a FB page.
You can get a very well made pipe for $100-$300 from well known carvers like Jean Du Toit, Chris Askwith, Chris Morgan, Sean Ruem, and many other well known makers with stunning reviews and years of success.
Maybe some of these guys have grest reputations in their home countries, but you'd think they would say so, and have an internet presence more than a FB page made last year.
Taste is individual. I look at the Facebook pipes displayed on this thread and my reaction is “what a bunch of talentless crap! “. But others are spending significant amounts on them.
If it’s a wound, it’s a self inflicted one.
The saying, “A fool and his money are soon parted” comes to mind.
If it’s a wound, it’s a self inflicted one.
The saying, “A fool and his money are soon parted” comes to mind.
These are just a few from a few minutes looking. There are some that sure look like they are made on CNC router machines. Some very intricate figural designs. With the right programming, they are talentless.
Now this is just speculation, I dont even know if you can CNC briar. But some of the intricate ones are made from other woods.
If not, some are extremely well done.
His Donald Trump pipe is something to behold! He has a real talent for capturing a likeness.
The briar needed for the hairdo alone must cost a fortune!!
Make HUGE briar chunks great again!
Neerup pipes are shaped by a machine that copies a master design then they are hand finished.