Pipes and Artisans of Eastern Europe: Undervalued and Underappreciated?

[saltedplug]

I see a still evolving emphasis on shape that is already evolved now. The first 3 pipers shown in the link feature slight oddities in the bowl in terms of tilt, undercutting, etc. The 4th "Fish In Batter" I don't care for, but this is only the case with this pipe. I would like it better did it not scallop the midline, which embellishment I've never liked.

His skill at 100 pipes is striking. I want to see his work when he's at 500 or 1000.

 

[saltedplug]

There are many great carvers around the world. It is very hard to get respect out of your own region. Just ask the American carvers.

Are you saying that American carvers don't respect each other's work, and that this is the same in British carvers,
etc .?

 

[mso489]

From the posts and accompanying photos on this thread, there seems to be a solid core of serious pipe people who appreciate the Eastern European artisanal pipe carvers. Build your collections before the pipes become coveted and everything costs a cool grand. Gorgeous pipes, with a strong sense of contemporary design, truly impressive.

 

[karam]

My problem with carvers is the attitude that if it looks like an off the shelf straight billiard it's no good, doesn't make them stand out, so they never make simple classic shapes. I find most carvers' designs too exaggerated for my tastes. What I am saying is I am looking for a beautiful pipe, not a modern art sculpture. Not commenting on the quality of the workmanship of course, as the pipes linked here look extremely well-made, but I'd still not have any of them based on looks.

The Alaska series from @alaskanpiper is a bright example of classic shapes with enough variety and interesting details that manages to look both classic as well as modern.

Still, I'll check out these names when I get a chance

 

[Merton]

I have half a dozen Cermak pipes. Great guy, met him at the Chicago show twice. Very conscientious about his workmanship and does great work. Quite creative. Prices are more than reasonable.

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Wow, those are great looking blasts. I love sandblast over all other styles and the ring grain on that poker is tremendous ...beautiful pipes

 

[mso489]

Unique and distinctive design and striking craftsmanship sometimes do upstage the simple joy of smoking a pipe. They almost imply an audience for our smoking that does not exist. Who's admiring this art work while we are smoking it? You kind of feel like you should smoke looking in the mirror. I'm always surprised when I catch a glimpse of myself smoking even a traditional pipe. Who's that?

 

[kcghost]

I should have said "outside" instead of "out".

 

[cigrmaster]

Since my last post on this thread, I have bought 12 pipes from Jack Howell. He began carving again after a long layoff as his real job is as a clarinet player for the Pittsburg Philharmonic Orchestra. Since Covid came he had to go back to his second job which is pipe making. I had been looking for a pipe from him for years but never had a chance to buy one. I wasted no time in buying from him as all the pipes I bought were commissions. I have plans for maybe a few more if it it is possible. His pipes are my kind of pipes. Classic shapes like Billiards, Dublins, Apples, Brandy's, Paneled Billiards. They all smoke amazingly well and I am having fun redoing my collection. I also really enjoy buying from our guys and his shaping is just how I like my pipes to be.




These are just a few.

 

[GCW]

My friend just scored this Mikhail Garmash pipe a month or so ago and its a beautiful pipe. Some great pieces are coming from the Eastern block these days.

Mikhail Garmash Octo Billiard # RF 105

A Octagonal Billiard with a Hexagon (6 sided) shank with the titanium solid band is engraved with Shamanic images from the Taiga, (SIberia). Interestingly they are very similar to West Coast First Nations carvings. A chubby Billiard it is with a solid bowl for a decent length smoke. The titanium...

pipes2smoke.com

 

[Mr_houston]

I just bought this estate Sergey Cherepanov panel. Pics are from the auction. I really like hexagon shanks.

 

[OzPiper]

3 from Davorin Denovic.
An olive wood and 2 copper (rather dense) mortas

 

[OzPiper]

A couple from Domagoj Telisman (Dotter Pipes) from Croatia
A canted egg morta with black bamboo shank and
A "satin" blasted briar egg with variegated/white ebony ferrule

 

[gamzultovah]

Martin Cermak from the Czech Republic is doing amazing work. I have the smooth below:

I second Martin Cermak.

 

[gamzultovah]

Irena Serova

 

[gamzultovah]

Michal Pawlak canted Egg.