I started smoking a pipe about 25 years ago and always enjoyed the tranquility I experienced
from a good briar and tobacco. While on a fly-fishing trip a few years ago, a friend and fellow
pipe smoker suggested that I try making my own pipe. I already owned a few woodworking
tools (a Shopsmith Mark V, belt sander, band saw, and various files and rasps) and decided
that carving a pipe would be a nice winter project.

Some Internet searching turned up Mark Tinsky, of American Smoking Pipe, and I quickly
ordered a pre-bored plateaux kit from him. I wanted to carve a Danish style freehand but
didn't want to just start cutting and filing on that beautiful block of briar. I knew in my mind
what I wanted to create but just couldn't figure out how to go about it. Then I discovered
Trever Talbert's old Website with all the wonderful step by step instructions on pipe carving.
His site was my guide as I carefully worked that piece of briar into my very own pipe.

I bought more tools along the way and finally ended with a beautiful and very smokeable
Danish freehand that I still enjoy today. When I displayed my creation to my fishing partner,
he asked if I could carve him a pipe — a bent apple. I told him I didn't know if I could find
the time, but I’d already planned to do this as a Christmas gift for him. Then I ordered even
more tools, as well as a few plateaux blocks and stems from Pimo. Armed with the new tools,
supplies, and knowledge from Trever's site, I dove into my new passion. When I finished the
bent apple, I couldn't wait until Christmas to give it to my friend. I drove to his house in August.
He was very pleased with the new briar and suggested I should carve pipes for sale.

I continued carving pipes and selling a few to fellows I worked with. They all encouraged me to
sell my pipes on a larger scale. It has been quite a journey and, as on any journey, you meet a
lot of people. I have been very fortunate to meet and make friends with some great people in the
pipe-carving community. They have all been extreamlly helpful and supportive.
 The journey continues, and I hope to meet
you along the way.