Tom Eltang Celebrates 50 Years of Pipe Making

[Mike N]

There was a big party in Denmark yesterday to honor a man who is arguably the world‘s greatest living pipe maker. I own several of his handmade pipes as well as his $125 basic series, and have never been disappointed.

 

[burleybreath]

It's a friggin' conspiracy. I think I see Sykes Wilford, et al., there.

 

[geopiper]

Quite the accomplishment. I'd love to have a directory of who the people n the photo are.

 

[AroEnglish]

My invite must've gotten lost in the mail.

Looks like a great way to celebrate.

 

[kcghost]

He certainly is the most prolific and it is possible enough carvers may have died off to give him the title, but I prefer many carvers to him. Way too many carvers in the world to just single out one guy,

 

[Uruss]

Easily one of the best!

 

[jpberg]

He certainly is the most prolific and it is possible enough carvers may have died off to give him the title, but I prefer many carvers to him. Way too many carvers in the world to just single out one guy,

Is there a bowl of Cornflakes that you haven’t pissed in in the last month?
Give it a rest.

 

[Briarcutter]

Tom has certainly carved out a place for himself in the pipe world. Congratulations Tom!

 

[OzPiper]

50 years in the one career (with distinction) is definitely worthy of celebration

 

[Chasing Embers]

I would never have considered Eltang's work to be within a top ten but that is a lengthy career.

 

[Mike N]

I would never have considered Eltang's work to be within a top ten but that is a lengthy career.

So, who are these “top ten” pipe makers who are better than Eltang? I can’t wait to see your list, since I’ve apparently been missing something these past 35 years.

 

[Mike N]

Here are a few of my Eltang pipes that have given me much smoking pleasure. Thanks, Tom, and congratulations on a 50 year milestone.

 

[Chasing Embers]

So, who are these “top ten” pipe makers who are better than Eltang? I can’t wait to see your list, since I’ve apparently been missing something these past 35 years.

Only 35 years?

Eltang's harsh rustication easily removes him from any ranking system for me. But if you insist.

Kris Edwin Barber
Bruto Sordini
Andre Kharitonov
Lasse Skovgaard
Ian Walker
Davorin Denovic
Chris Asteriou
J. Alan
Scottie Piersel
Silver Gray

And posthumously, Bruce Weaver.

 

[Mike N]

Only 35 years?

Eltang's harsh rustication easily removes him from any ranking system for me. But if you insist.

Kris Edwin Barber
Bruto Sordini
Andre Kharitonov
Lasse Skovgaard
Ian Walker
Davorin Denovic
Chris Asteriou
J. Alan
Scottie Piersel
Silver Gray

And posthumously, Bruce Weaver.

To each his own, I guess. (Yep, only 35 years of pipe collecting. I’m 66 years old and got a late start.)

 

[Mike N]

I thought I would share this Instagram post I just saw. True masters train the next generation (J Alan for one) and are unafraid to share their secrets.

 

[jbfrady]

Does this mean we can consider him rusticated?

 

[Epip Oc'Cabot]

Does this mean we can consider him rusticated?

Hmm. If referencing the pipe quilt on the bed above… shouldn't it be “rest-icated”

 

[georged]

... a man who is arguably the world‘s greatest living pipe maker.

Imagine how many angst-filled electrons would have been saved if Mike N. had typed "... a man who is unarguably one of the world's greatest living pipe makers."

 

[Mike N]

Imagine how many angst-filled electrons would have been saved if Mike N. had typed "... a man who is unarguably one of the world's greatest living pipe makers."

Ha, nice to see someone who fully appreciates adjective nuance.

 

[kcghost]

When you say "best" you have to something to back up. Best implies there is no one to match this person and everybody agrees. Opinions are fine but they aren't facts. Best is a word like unique, you have to be damn careful where you use it in a sentence. But nonetheless I'd agree that he is one of the better carvers out there,