Chris Houser, Pipe Maker

Some of my earliest memories as a child were of the smell of my fathers cigars. It was truly pleasent and it created a deep love for tobacco. My father occasionally would bring me to work and that is where I was introduced to the pipe. Two gentlemen that I admired would always be working with a pipe in hand. It was not until years later that my curiosity for pipes returned. I had been a cigar smoker (and still am) when the sweet smell of an aromatic tobacco caught my attention. From then on, I have had a love for the pipe.

I had been smoking a pipe for a few years when I stumbled upto a pre-drilled briar block kit. I was heading to Germany with my wife and her family and figured this would be the perfect trip to create my own pipe. With a square block, file and carving knife I set off to create my first pipe. Needless to say, briar is a hard wood. After two weeks of work I had a slightly rounded block.

Determined to create my first pipe I hit Google to find out how pipes were made. This is how I discovered pipemakersforum.com. The wealth of info, generosity and willingness to help from the pipe maker community got me on track. 

I quickly converted the shop at work into my pipe making playground. I spent countless hours making pipes for myself and friends. This helped me hone my pipe making skills to the point of crafting beautifully made pipes that I can now share with people that have the same passion for pipes.