Big surprise here, my first commission was with Rad Davis. It was back in 2012 and it was a Dublin. I still have the pipe and I still love smoking it. It is the pipe that I have reamed the most in my collection. Here is a pic.
Who Did Your First Commissioned Pipe, and When?
- Thread starter cigrmaster
- Start date
That's a great looking pipe.
How much did you specify to get the pipe shape, colour and finish you wanted?
I have not commissioned a pipe yet, but am thinking of perhaps doing it for a special occassion sometime.
How much did you specify to get the pipe shape, colour and finish you wanted?
I have not commissioned a pipe yet, but am thinking of perhaps doing it for a special occassion sometime.
Rad was so easy to deal with. I told him I wanted a group 4-5, 40-55 grams in weight, the color black, and I told him I wanted a Dublin with an Ebonite stem. He wanted no deposit because he knew if I didn't like it he could sell it in a day or two off his site. I have commissioned many pipes over the years and only one time did I not get what I was looking for. I gave a new carver a chance and I ended up selling the pipes he made for me. I lost a few bucks but it wasn't a big deal. I am not the kind of buyer who tells the carver every little detail.
I commissioned a Bing pipe from Boswell's back in 2016. Last year the tenon broke and I haven't gotten around to sending it back to Boswell's for repair.
I may have the sequence wrong but I think the first was Trever Talbert and my Cote Sausage (he named it not me) pictured in my avatar. Next was three matching pipes I ordered from Peter Heeschen when Craig Tarler, Greg Pease and I collaborated on the Tribute blend after 911, and then I commissioned a pipe from Larry Roush. All a long time ago but good memories.
Thanks pal, he killed it with that pipe... I got pretty lucky. Trever is a gifted guy.
My first was this year - a Chris Askwith Strawberry. It probably would have taken me much longer to pluck up the courage if I hadn't joined the forum.
Thank you!
Chris was a gentleman & super-easy to deal with. I'd definitely recommend him.
It's mighty dangerous though, I'm in conversation with another three pipe makers at the moment!
You're not in too bad of shape yet. I used to go to Bruce's cookouts and watch him make pipes.
Adam Remington in 2010…such a talented American pipe maker. I guess he’s no longer making pipes though.
After that it was Michael Parks
After that it was Michael Parks
I only have one bespoke pipe. I got it for my 50th birthday last year. Joshua Ronish of Dragon Briars. Super happy with his work and process. Very easy and nailed just what was looking for. 
I commissioned two wax drip pipes from Tony Fillenwarth and two from Scottie Piersel. I think that was around 2014 and 2015.
Ryan Alden. In 2014. I met him in person a few years after he carved this and he started pointing out the improvements he was making. That’s when I commissioned my Eight Day Matching Set
Not sure if it can be called a commission…
I liked a Devil Anse from Mike Couch and asked if it is for sale. He said it is not, but he is planning to make another from the same block of wood. So I asked him to make it with reddish brown stem. He made a Cumberland stem and showed it to me. I paid him and asked him to ship ASAP, and he did. End of story.
Edited to add when - Earlier this year
I liked a Devil Anse from Mike Couch and asked if it is for sale. He said it is not, but he is planning to make another from the same block of wood. So I asked him to make it with reddish brown stem. He made a Cumberland stem and showed it to me. I paid him and asked him to ship ASAP, and he did. End of story.
Edited to add when - Earlier this year
My early moonshine poker by Jonathan Lavezzo before he sold the line to briarworks. It’s so early it doesn’t have the lightning bolt in the stem. Unfortunately the green has faded a bit do to age and I smoke it a lot I still really like it thu
I have only ever commisioned 2 pipes ,they were both for my 60th birthday from Michael Kyriazanos in 2017
