Custom Pipe Cases
- Thread starter Chalaw87
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There are very few pipe makers other than the Turkish meerschaum industry using custom pipe cases these days.
My old ones have a wooden shell which are leather-covered (calf, kid or even crocodile) then lined with velvet or satin.
Sadly that craft seems to have fallen by the wayside by and large.
My old ones have a wooden shell which are leather-covered (calf, kid or even crocodile) then lined with velvet or satin.
Sadly that craft seems to have fallen by the wayside by and large.
Basically, they aren't being fabricated. It's a remote possibility that one can send a pipe to one of the meerschaum houses in Turkey and have a case made. There are a couple of artisan carvers who will custom make a case for one of their own pipes, but won't make them to order. Other than that you can find mass produced hinged cases in a variety of sizes and use that.
Wouldn't a Pelican case with foam much easier? Not exactly a violin case, but foams are easier to fit.
So the cases are actually carved wood? I havent been brave enough to peel back the "leather" coverings.
Too bad that the custom cases have fallen out of favor.
No doubt, and more durable. But custom cases are just cool
This looks like a use for the 3D printers.
I may have found a new business!
Hum.
I may have found a new business!
Hum.
I want in on the ground level! Pipes are such a thriving business with rich customers consumed by appearance, it has to succeed!
There must be a reason so many carvers are not creating custom cases for their pipes. Hmmmm, what might it be??
I looked into making those custom fit cases when I heard that the small hinges no longer being made was the reason. I mean, I can make, fabricate, and reproduce anything out of any metal. So, i watched a few videos of Walt Cannoy making some for his meerschaums. Hardware wasn't the problem, but the time it takes to fit the leather and such. I guess that in Turkey the labor to make them must be slave wages, because it's crazy to spend that kind of time making them for what you can get out of them. They should be worth about as much as the pipes, IMO. There's no way I would make a custom fitted case for less than a hundred or so.
You could cut corners by using air drying paper clay for the forms, but you'd still have to stretch the felts and the leather... which is the pain in the ass part. Then, getting the hardware to stay joined using those tiny screws... it's a pain in the ass endeavor. IMO.
I agree. With Astas meerschaum, my commissioned pieces didn't "come" with a case. But I always ask for one, and he obliges, at no cost. Which shocked me.
Absolutely. And I emphasise that last point.
Just the cost of materials alone would put the cost halfway there. Plus the labour... hard to do in a time when most people want everything for free.
I assumed the cases were not cost effective to produce.
I was just wondering…how?
There’s just something about a pipe in a custom case.
I was just wondering…how?
There’s just something about a pipe in a custom case.
I get them made in Turkey. Years ago Shervingtons in London would refit the cases. Today when my case gets messed up I lend the pipe to the Turkish carvers and they send it back with a super new case. Ramazan from Meerschaum Depot will do them if you tell him I sent you! 
Thanks!I get them made in Turkey. Years ago Shervingtons in London would refit the cases. Today when my case gets messed up I lend the pipe to the Turkish carvers and they send it back with a super new case. Ramazan from Meerschaum Depot will do them if you tell him I sent you!
I am surprised that the factory pipe makers don't sell cases. Seems like an obvious product that would fit a standard shape for mass production.
Would you pay extra for it though? If all the sudden your factory pipes went up $25 and came in a case, would you consider that money well spent for your factory pipes? I wouldn't