Todd Johnson

Midnight Blues · Mar 7, 2009

Please take a few moments to read this, just incredible. Todd is an amazing carver, I would be honored to add one of his pipes to my collection...Todd Johnson

prokenny · Mar 7, 2009

VERY GOOD,THANKS A LOT.

Trout Bum · Mar 7, 2009

Very cool, thanks for posting the link!

Puff Daddy · Mar 8, 2009

Well I met Todd yesterday at the Reno pipe show and held that very pipe (and discussed it's merits with Marty Pulvers who is always a hoot to talk with). The pipe is pretty impressive and Todd is a very, very friendly and articulate fellow. At one point late in the show another attendee and I walked over to the row of tables where Todd, Brad Pohlman and Jeff Gracik were all sitting and I (being the instigator that I am) started asking these guys why a carver would choose either an $80 piece of briar or a $20 piece of briar when the hoped outcome is the same - a highly figured pipe. It was a most interesting conversation to say the least, with all three gentlemen sharing opinions and insights. Todd told his story of being with Mimmo in Italy and seeing the whole process of briar harvesting and cutting. He explained that you're paying for the cutters expertise in preparing and sorting and how this just increases your likelihood of success. The fact that a well trained eye can present you with the briar that should produce the results you desire. He also told a few little secret truths about briar and it showed how a lot of people have misguided notions about what they're smoking. The gentleman was a wealth of knowledge and shared it freely.

What was most interesting was that all three of these guys, very talented and respected carvers, were very open to discussing their opinions and sharing their knowledge and even going so far as to say "but this is only how I like to do it and I'm certainly not saying it's the right way". Their attitude and the beauty of their work was most impressive, and the fact that they were willing to share it with a basically destitute bum like myself who couldn't afford their pipes anyhow only proves that they're interest is not just in selling high grade pipes but in perpetuating the enthusiasm for fine pipes as best they can. Guys like these are a blessing to pipe enthusiasts and I take my hat off to them.

Midnight Blues · Mar 8, 2009

P,

What a great opportunity to spend the day with such talented men who have so much to offer to the pipe community. If the economy doesn't completely tank I'd like to add one of Todds' pipes to my collection....

Puff Daddy · Mar 8, 2009

Ya know it's funny you mention the economy MB, cuz I think I just witnessed the economy's impact on our hobby. The Reno pipe show had about 25 tables filled with pipes ranging from brand new high grades to new mid range production pipes to fairly rare mint condition estates to beater pipes that have seen better days. You name it, it was there. I saw very few sales and in talking with a couple of the estate sellers they acknowledged that their sales were pretty slow. Of the carvers that were there, not many pipes sold, just a handful collectively. I'll bet 3/4 of the attendees did not buy anything.

I don't think this had anything to do with a lack of enthusiasm or prices encountered or the quality of the merchandise available, I think we just saw a whole bunch of folks who love pipes attend a show because they really wanted to be there, but that extra spending dough isn't there. A good/bad situation. Bad of course because what will ensure another Reno show is brisk sales and it didn't seem that that happened. Good because there were a lot of people who apparently didn't have money to spend but who put fuel in their cars and drove from all over to attend, showing a desire for shows like this to continue. I only hope the sponsors and vendors saw the positive in tough financial times and persevere to continue.

There were a good deal of young people there too which was a wonderful sign.