Artisan, or Pipemaker?

[MisterE]

Well, it's really just semantics. Maybe there should be a distinction of some sort, like the designation "Grandmaster" in chess. Not just anyone can call themselves one. In the end,  I think Artisan Pipe Maker is simply easier to market than Home Pipe Carver, even if the individual might be one and the same.

 

[eklektos44]

Yeah I'm just playing around, man.  

I think for most solo pipemakers, a lot of the production means ARE pre-industrial or nearly so because in making one-off pieces having machines (which are by nature best at replication) isn't super helpful.  There are machines that will make stems, but none of us "solo artisans" have them, we use files to cut the button etc.   Lots of handwork.  

But yeah, the lathe (x2), the sander, the polishing wheels, it's all modern, for sure.  But the skills and knowledge to get something out of those things... that's the part that I guess I'd focus on.  I don't need the machines to make a nice pipe - they make things faster.    My hands, I need.  

Heh, you get a lathe like Underhill uses, foot powered. :lol!:

 

[eklektos44]

Well, it's really just semantics. Maybe there should be a distinction of some sort, like the designation "Grandmaster" in chess. Not just anyone can call themselves one. In the end,  I think Artisan Pipe Maker is simply easier to market than Home Pipe Carver, even if the individual might be one and the same.

Heh, Master Artisan Pipemaker...do we really want to open that can of worms?

 

[Sasquatch]

Scoring pipe makers is really tough, and developing a stratifying set of criteria for certain "levels" probably even tougher.

The so-called Pipemaker's Guild for example has a set of specific targets for each of their designations - a journeyman for them has to produce a certain pipe, with a home-made wind cap, etc and have it "inspected" by their experts. I think it's nonsense. It renders a Rad Davis (who I realize is retired) outside of Journeyman status, and that's just goofy.


It is semantics, and as usual, someone will fall out of the mix just because the definitions are too tight (or too loose).

I consider myself an artisan pipe maker because I make one-off pieces, I have generic rather than specific equipment (no specific piece of equipment in my shop generates anything pipey as it's prime function - there's no shaping heads, no drilling jigs, no stem shaping jigs), I work alone, and I've made enough pipes that I feel like I know what I'm doing, or rather, my learning curve is flattening out at this point, there's less and less change in the pipes week to week, where a "newbie" is on a much steeper curve in that regard.

Anyone else considering themselves as an artisan pipe maker, I would probably accept that they are, and anyone wishing to kick me out of their definition, I would probably accept that as well. I am neither fully-industrialized to manufacture pipes, nor am I going to make them with only my teeth and fingernails.

 

[eklektos44]

Scoring pipe makers is really tough, and developing a stratifying set of criteria for certain "levels" probably even tougher.  

The so-called Pipemaker's Guild for example has a set of specific targets for each of their designations - a journeyman for them has to produce a certain pipe, with a home-made wind cap, etc and have it "inspected" by their experts.    I think it's nonsense.  It renders a Rad Davis (who I realize is retired) outside of Journeyman status, and that's just goofy.  


It is semantics, and as usual, someone will fall out of the mix just because the definitions are too tight (or too loose).  

I consider myself an artisan pipe maker because I make one-off pieces, I have generic rather than specific equipment (no specific piece of equipment in my shop generates anything pipey as it's prime function - there's no shaping heads, no drilling jigs, no stem shaping jigs), I work alone, and I've made enough pipes that I feel like I know what I'm doing, or rather, my learning curve is flattening out at this point, there's less and less change in the pipes week to week, where a "newbie" is on a much steeper curve in that regard.  

Anyone else considering themselves as an artisan pipe maker, I would probably accept that they are, and anyone wishing to kick me out of their definition, I would probably accept that as well.   I am neither fully-industrialized to manufacture pipes, nor am I going to make them with only my teeth and fingernails.  

LOL. Well if you used your teeth and fingernails the results might be gratifying, of course given the time involved the cost would be scary.

 

[Dave1066]

A pipe maker is a manufacturer that mass produces pipes mainly with machines, or maybe there high end pipes are hand made. An Artisan is a pipe which has been make by hand, by a highly skilled individual, that can make potentially the pipe of your dreams, if you wish.

 

[Ozark Wizard]

If we go by the definitions:

artisan = a worker in a skilled trade, especially one that involves making things by hand.  
(Based on the Latin "artitus" meaning "instruct in the arts")
pipe maker = someone who makes pipes

Then it would seem to me that someone who works in the Dr. Grabow factory cranking out pipes on machines for 8 hrs a day (assembly line style) would fall into the more general pipe maker category.    

To me an artisan has a bit more of the art involved.  Taking pieces of briar or other appropriate woods and seeing where it leads in terms of making a pipe shape that is seen in their mind.   Machines can be involved in the process, but lots of hand work also.   Also, an artisan usually determines when the pipe is actually "finished" vs. just having a functional pipe.  Sometimes this involves scrapping efforts and starting over again.

This works for me......

 

[Ocelot55]

As someone who earns a living making pipes, I'll throw in my two cents. I speak only for myself, not for any other pipe smoker or maker.

I don't consider myself an artisan. I do not even consider myself an artist. I like to identify myself as a craftsman, by which I mean someone who produces a practical product that is very functional but beautiful as well. In that regard, while aesthetics take a backseat to function, they can also enhance the function by making the use of the object more enjoyable. I see many hobbyist pipe makers using the label "artisan" as a marketing strategy. I think they do themselves and others a disservice and it cheapens the term. Consumers can often associate "handmade" with "artisan," and because of that they often look at clear mistakes as proof of their artisan label. Ex, "this bowl shape isn't quite right, but that means that it was made by hand so it's better." "This finish has some scratch marks in it, but I feel it makes the pipe feel more authentic." I'm sorry, but to me those are mistakes and a clear indicator of skill. Don't get me wrong, I don't make perfect pipes, but I strive to make each one as perfect as I can while still maintaining the production I need to make a living.

My advice to pipe purchasers: caveat emptor. If you want an "artisan" pipe, do your research. How long has the individual or company been making pipes? What sort of accolades have they received? Have previous customers expressed satisfaction with the product?

To me the subject gets a bit more murky when we bring the art aspect into the equation because it is by nature extremely subjective. I tend to point to more objective standards when I determine the overall quality of a pipe.

(I just reread my statements. A very poor summation, but I hope I conveyed my meaning well enough.)

 

[Sasquatch]

Yeah that's pretty retarded stuff Jesse, why did you even bother?

 

[Ocelot55]

Yeah that's pretty retarded stuff Jesse, why did you even bother?

"Retarded" is a pretty big word for a hairy Canadian, even for one with a philosophy degree. :mrgreen:

 

[Brewdude]

Yeah that's pretty retarded stuff Jesse, why did you even bother?

"Retarded" is a pretty big word for a hairy Canadian, even for one with a philosophy degree. :mrgreen:

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


Cheers,

RR

 

[Ozark Wizard]

(smirk)

 

[Gustav]

This is an interesting thread...................we are discussing a great topic area and also grading each other on interpretation and one's ability to intellectualize. I love it!! Where else can you find stimulation like this?

Gustav

 

[desertpiper]

This is an interesting topic. It reminded me of a book I have read: "The Perfect Smoke" by Fed Hanna. Great book by the way. But in one of his chapters he goes into great detail (too great to write here) about the artisan pipe maker. Plus he even adds another level, the Master pipe maker. It's a very interesting read and I would think shed some light on this topic. Because to be a pipe artisan you have to be a pipe maker. To be a pipe master you have to be a pipe artisan. And who's to say a pipe maker in a manufacturing setting can't be an artisan. It all depends on the end product. Well there my 2 cents.

 

[DGErwin11]

I am a pipe maker. Some days I look at a pipe I've made and say,"Damn, I might be a craftsman after all." But what I am not is an artisan.

Any definition devised by man is by nature arbitrary. To my mind, an artisan must at bare minimum hand cut his or her stems. Of course it should go without saying that shaping, finishing and internals must be there. By shaping I mean it must be pleasing to the eye and follow established guidelines. A person making nothing but billiards may be considered an artisan if the other elements are there.

 

[Dutch]

There are certainly pipe carvers out there who can be classified as "high grade" pipe carvers. However, IMO what makes an artisan, is their vision for something unique or "one off."

One of the best examples I can think of, is this "Calla Lilly Pierced by the Artists Brush," by Alex Florov.

It is certainly not the most practical, or form follows function style pipe, however it is very inspirational, and shows his ability to think outside the box.

 

[SpeedyPete]

I've heard the statement "a well engineered pipe". I'm still looking for such a pipe, one with a diff or gearbox or double overhead cam with 16 valves, something like that.

P Claassen (Pipe Engineer BSc - Briar)

 

[Sasquatch]

Rad Davis used to tease me about using that term. I like it. I think claiming that a pipe is "engineered" is not wrong.

On just about any of these definitions:
design and build (a machine or structure).

skillfully or artfully arrange for (an event or situation) to occur.

synonyms: bring about, arrange, pull off, bring off, contrive, maneuver, manipulate, negotiate, organize, orchestrate, choreograph, mount, stage, mastermind, originate, manage, stage-manage, coordinate, control, superintend, direct, conduct; informalwangle
"he engineered a takeover deal"
modify


I don't build pipes randomly and hope they smoke okay by the grace of Odin. I engineer them such that airways line up, slots are smooth, airway size relates to bowl size... a pipe is a tiny fluid dynamics experiment.

 

[Stick]

I'm going to throw reputation, scarcity and precision into the mix.

In addition to the comments above, my take is that if an individual is held in particularly high regard by the wider pipe community, and their pipes are harder to come by (small production), in my view they're more likely to warrant the term 'artisan'. I think a good spattering of artistic flair helps too and the ability to produce absolutely flawless results.

 

[Brewdude]

I'm going to throw reputation, scarcity and precision into the mix.  

In addition to the comments above, my take is that if an individual is held in particularly high regard by the wider pipe community, and their pipes are harder to come by (small production), in my view they're more likely to warrant the term 'artisan'.  I think a good spattering of artistic flair helps too and the ability to produce absolutely flawless results.

Hear Hear. Well said mate!


:cheers:




Cheers,

RR