Hand made, high grade, pipesmith, pipe maker, pipe carver, craftsmen, or artisan?

[North Pole piper]

Just curious to hear some views on what pipers refer to hand made pipes as or rather those that make hand mades. It seems to me the term 'artisan' really came about with the advent of the internet and selling pipes online, perhaps for marketing? When I got into pipe smoking in the 90's they were not called artisan pipes, they were called...hand made pipes.

 

[Waning Embers]

Not sure what a piper is but pipe smokers mostly call them artisan. Been smoking since '91 and that's what I've always called them.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

Some older articles from way back speak of pipe carvers. Artisan really has nothing to do with the internet, IMO and seems more a term that evolved out of respect more than a marketing label.

 

[sablebrush52]

Thinking on it, I generally refer to the carvers as carvers, and the pipes as either artisan made or factory made. I almost never use the term "handmade" since there's quite a bit of machining involved with any pipe and the term is misleading. I'll use the term hand carved for stems shaped from rod stock, or for some pipes that have carving on them, like quaints. Sometimes I'll use the term hand shaped as that seems more accurate than handmade.

 

[crashthegrey]

I hate throwing around artisan. Some have earned that name, but it takes thousands to be an artisan in my book. I was just discussing what we should call a pipe maker. I'm sad we don't have a cool word for it, like a cooper who makes barrels. So I usually go by carver or turner. But I wish their were some antiquated word for one who turns wood and makes a pipe.

 

[North Pole piper]

Some older articles from way back speak of pipe carvers. Artisan really has nothing to do with the internet, IMO and seems more a term that evolved out of respect more than a marketing label.

Thinking on it, I generally refer to the carvers as carvers, and the pipes as either artisan made or factory made. I almost never use the term "handmade" since there's quite a bit of machining involved with any pipe and the term is misleading. I'll use the term hand carved for stems shaped from rod stock, or for some pipes that have carving on them, like quaints. Sometimes I'll use the term hand shaped as that seems more accurate than handmade.

Good points, thanks. I realize this is a pie one could slice several different ways. Are freehand’s completely hand made or is there still some ‘machining involved there?

 

[sablebrush52]

But I wish their were some antiquated word for one who turns wood and makes a pipe.

Yeah, that's a tough one. Pipesmith sounds strange, though not as strange as pipethier

 

[sablebrush52]

Good points, thanks. I realize this is a pie one could slice several different ways. Are freehand’s completely hand made or is there still some ‘machining involved there?

There's always some machining invovled, like drilling the chamber and the airway. Rough shaping using a band saw isn't uncommon either.

 

[crashthegrey]

I definitely don't like pipesmith, but pipethier legitimately made me laugh out loud. Love it.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Artisinal pipes…. sounds like wild ginger or essence of lavendar is involved.

 

[crashthegrey]

Artisinal pipes…. sounds like wild ginger or essence of lavendar is involved.

For some of those guys, it probably is. Lol.

 

[forloveoffreedom]

Spending two days to make your 300th pipe that you sell for $200 makes it ok for me to call you whatever it takes to make you feel worthy. Many these artists get little money for their work. Even an $800 pipe after labor and parts, this field doesn’t pay well. I say we are lucky to call them supreme beings.

 

[Bushido]

I like ‘artisan,’ as it implies a small operation by expert craftsmen who focus on quality over quantity. ‘Artisanal’ has been ruined by hipsters.

 

[anotherbob]

I think the term artisan is just a more common term these days then it was in the 90's. Not just in the pipe world.

 

[anotherbob]

Spending two days to make your 300th pipe that you sell for $200 makes it ok for me to call you whatever it takes to make you feel worthy. Many these artists get little money for their work. Even an $800 pipe after labor and parts, this field doesn’t pay well. I say we are lucky to call them supreme beings.

When you look at how many pipes a factory can put out in one day versus what time it takes for an artisan to make one pipe. Suddenly the price difference becomes quite sensible seeming.

 

[North Pole piper]

I think the term artisan is just a more common term these days then it was in the 90's. Not just in the pipe world.

That’s true, good point. Much like artisanal bread, artisanal coffee etc…

 

[burleybreath]

"Artisan," in my opinion, has become way too common in usage, kind of a semantic whore. I can't speak for anyone else's ear, but mine likes the term "pipewright" as a substitute. It's more specific--although some might think it a demented reference to a plumber. Whatcha think? No? How about "briarwright?" And what the hell is a wright, anyway? Opposite of a wrong? I suppose someone is going to tell me a cobbler has nothing to do with making corncob pipes? Don't bother--I'm way too savvy.

(Just yielding to temptation with a keyboard. I apologize.)

 

[kcghost]

I can refer to someone who carves pipes as a pipe carver or an artisan. I'm okay with either term.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I think that the term "Handmade" doesn't mean as much these days, in all sorts of other areas as well. Jewelry stores using the term for putting a gemstone into a casted ring. Someone gluing two things together use the term in art shows. And, some pipemakers use it when just applying a stain and fitting a casted stem into a pipe. There has to be some way to differentiate technical "handmades" from pipes where one man carved, turned the stem, and finished the pipe themselves. "Artisan," just happens to do this.

 

[bullet08]

Pipers usually buy a full set of pipes. Typically, they would run $800US and up depends on the ornamentation. Full silver mounted set could easily go well over $7000US. Those are sets of Great Highland Bagpipes. Uilleann pipes, on the other hand, usually purchased in steps. That's Irish for you.

Those who make these pipes are craftsman. Silversmiths are silversmiths.

Smoking pipes are made by completely different group of craftsmen.