Ken Barnes Passed Away?

[bluegrassbrian]

Don't recall seeing anything on here. According to Les Wood, Ken passed back in April.

"Les Wood here just to let the pipe smoking groups know that i had a call from Barry Jones of James Upshals pipes that Kennedy Barnes the original owner from James Upshals pipe passed away in April,
i understand that there is a small workshop with all the machines and the briar block that are to be sold off,
i dont know what is there but if there are any intrested parties out there in the pipe makeing world, if you Message me with your detales i will pass them on to Ken's brother and he will contact you as and when he can,
Les Wood"

 

[ChuckMijo]

I was wondering what had happened to him. We were exchanging through PM And then suddenly nothing. Great guy. Always answered any questions I had. Sorry to hear about his passing.

 

[Western Isles]

Don't recall seeing anything on here. According to Les Wood, Ken passed back in April.

"Les Wood here just to let the pipe smoking groups know that i had a call from Barry Jones of James Upshals pipes that Kennedy Barnes the original owner from James Upshals pipe passed away in April,
i understand that there is a small workshop with all the machines and the briar block that are to be sold off,
i dont know what is there but if there are any intrested parties out there in the pipe makeing world, if you Message me with your detales i will pass them on to Ken's brother and he will contact you as and when he can,
Les Wood"

Oh, no!

 

[OzPiper]

RIP Ken Barnes
His contributions here will be missed. His first hand recollections of his time at Upshall and Charatan were invaluable.
Barry Jones got most of the kudos, but Ken's contribution was just as important to the success of Upshall.
I was very lucky to score 2 pipes from his collection last year.

 

[greeneyes]

This is tragic news. Utterly tragic.

 

[jguss]

This is tragic news. Utterly tragic.

Yes. A huge and irreplaceable loss to our community. My condolences to his family.

 

[georged]

Son of a bitch.

He and I exchanged many emails, videos, pics, etc. Even several Zoom calls. A wonderful, generous, outgoing, friendly man. His enthusiasm never waned, so it was probably something unexpected that struck without warning.

Dammit, dammit, dammit, dammit...

The depth of his knowledge in many areas of pipemaking will never be matched because they CAN never be matched (the circumstances he grew up surrounded by no longer exist).

The pipes he made the past few years were also singular. Traditional English styling with a Scandanavian flair and precision of execution. Truly excellent.

What a loss.

Dammit, dammit, dammit, dammit...

RIP, Ken

 

[pepesdad1]

This news is just terrible...his knowledge and stylecraft cannot be matched. Just these past few years where he produced his own brand and carving...just amazing work. This is as bad as if GeorgeD had passed. Both gentlemen are/were top of the line in their work. GeorgeD your are put on notice to take it easy and don't exert yourself. You are a treasure as Ken was.

 

[bluegrassbrian]

Even though Charatan pipes never seem to hit my sweet spot, I relished the threads where he contributed. The info he shared was indeed as rare as it was valuable.

Really makes me wonder what the heck happened to the poor bastard.
His last sign-on here was March 16.
How did it take 4 months to come to light? Sheesh.

 

[tfdickson]

Truly awful news, what a tremendous loss. RIP Ken.

 

[autumnfog]

RIP.

 

[beefeater33]

Ken Barnes.................... A legend in my mind.............
I LOVED the pipes he was making and a few members here bought......
Always a Kind and Thoughtful English Gentleman..............
RIP Ken, You will be missed!!................

 

[captainsousie]

He was a true legend and will be missed. His knowledge, kindness and insight was without parallel when it came to Brit-wood and pipe smoking in general.

RIP to a true gentleman.

 

[ashdigger]

I loved reading his input. An invaluable human.

Rest In Peace.

 

[craig61a]

I see no obituary for Ken in Truro, Cornwall, UK...

 

[Ahi Ka]

Gutted. Just gutted.

 

[FurCoat]

RIP.

 

[bluegrassbrian]

I see no obituary for Ken in Truro, Cornwall, UK...

I looked too. No idea what his family situation was like. Perhaps he didn't have much in the way of close relatives considering how long it's taken for the news to travel.

 

[jguss]

Several people of broad professional experience in the pipe industry, and whose opinion I highly value, have told me over the years that Ken was the most talented cutter they ever met. I think it appropriate to share here a video link Ken sent me last November:

 

[beefeater33]

Several people of broad professional experience in the pipe industry, and whose opinion I highly value, have told me over the years that Ken was the most talented cutter they ever met. I think it appropriate to share here a video link Ken sent me last November:

Very, Very Cool................ Thanks for that!..........