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Will the New World shine?

In a recent panel discussion for Pfeifenbox, the participants were asked to speculate who would be the world's very top carvers in 2025. Virtually no Americans were named as candidates, which led to several puzzled emails from readers.

Mike Glukler of briarblues.com has fostered several upcoming carvers, both from the Old and New World. In a Pfeifenbox interview, he wonders whether the panel's verdict was just.

In the panel discussion on tomorrow's greats, Larry Roush was the only North American carver mentioned by name. Do you find this surprising?

MG: Yes and no. Clearly Larry is an outstanding pipe maker. I do not know if I would say Larry will be one of tomorrow's greats - in my opinion he already has that covered. If Larry were to quit making pipes immediately, his current and past pipes would hold up as exceptional, thus ensuring that the name 'Roush' will be carried forward as one of the great pipe makers. As far as being the only maker mentioned, there are a few others that have the potential, but may need a bit more time to smooth out a few things.

Do you think any of these others could make it to the very top worldwide?

MG: Frankly, of the current New World makers, I cannot say if any might make it into the top ten. Not many of the North American carvers make pipes as a full-time profession. Indeed there are a few, but the new young guns have other income sources. Thus, pipe making might be considered a 'hobby'. To become a serious contender for world stardom, dedication and single-mindedness are needed. I do not see anyone emerging - and currently selling pipes - as having what it takes to get there, as yet. Next year, as these young makers continue to develop, who knows who will still be carving and who will have quit?

I cannot speak for the fellows that make pipes as a full time profession, But, as they appear to be making decent livings, maybe they are satisfied with this and are not looking for star status. I know each has made some stunning pipes that rival some of the best from Europe.

And what about unknown, developing carvers from the American continent?

MG: I am sure there are a few waiting in the wings. Recently I purchased a pipe from a maker that lives only a four hour drive away from me. Up until 48 hours ago, I had never heard of him. From this, I expect that in many cities and towns there are some guys sitting in their basements and garages trying their hands at pipe crafting. How they might develop - who knows?

I do know of an amateur maker that shows incredible potential. His name is Will Purdy. In Will, I see dedication, single-mindedness, flair for style, an eye for harmony, an attitude that good is not good enough, that excellence is the only acceptable plateau. All that is needed for one to become a serious world class pipe maker. His only drawback is his loyalty to his NHL hockey team [laughs].

One problem the North American carvers face is the lack of local mentors - And, in some cases, lack of an art background. Many of the European carvers have been able to learn from the masters that came before them, or have a serious art background. As the US covers a large land mass, it is not as easy for a new maker on the East Coast to visit someone like Mark Tinsky. It is fairly easy for a maker in Germany to take a weekend trip to visit another maker in Denmark.

Also, I find the North American carvers are a bit more tight-lipped about their craft. I am sure that some do share techniques and info, but not as freely as a maker like Tom Eltang. Thus, many North American carvers are self-taught.

By and large, do you think the American carvers have their prices right - not only compared to Europeans, but to their own estate value?

MG: Oh boy, am I going to get in trouble with this one! In most cases I would say, 'no'. For the quality of finished goods, compared to others' finished goods, many have their sites set far too high. I do not want to mention names, but why would anyone pay near $300 for an experimentally shaped rusticated pipe with a fill from a North American carver - when one might purchase an exceptional sandblast or smooth by one of the European makers? And just because a pipe may be finished smooth should not automatically mean that it carries a $400 price tag.

One new maker that has his prices right is Brian Ruthenberg, I think. Blasts and rusticated pipes are under $300. That keeps him inline with many European makers. On the estate market, his pipes will draw 40 - 50% of the original retail price. Now, some may think that my opinion here is biased as I work with Brian, but I have no control over his prices. I get to see how quickly the pipes he crafts sell. I also get feedback from a number of clients about the quality of the pipes. If Brian's pipes were not up to the task, I would not mention them.

To detect the value the public sees in a maker's pipes, I can suggest that the maker offers a pre-smoked example of his craft for sale. The normal rule of thumb is that a pre-smoked pipe will garner 50% of what the pipe was priced at when new. Of course, right now the market is down, but it will still offer makers some insight into how their pipes should be priced. Very few get over the 50% mark. Larry Roush's pre-smoked pipes usually draw 65% - 75% of their new value, which shows in what high regard his work is held. With the new makers, sadly, they will find that 30% is about what their estates will sell for. If this is indeed the case, then after doing some maths, they will realise that they have priced their new pipes at 30 - 40% above what the market sees as their value.

After a new maker has established a serious following and the finished good quality is up to - or above - that of other well-known makers, then they can start to command better prices. Will the new maker's prices ever surpass those of other existing, well established carvers? It is possible, if his finished goods are of higher quality. Also, there are no rules without exceptions, and there are a few young makers that have been hyped to command very high prices. Even their pre-smoked pipes sell for above the 50% average. While this is fine right now, let's see how their pipe prices hold up in a year, or three years, or ten years.

When clients ask me about the new makers with high priced pipes, my response is that if they truly like the look of the pipe and expect to keep it for a very long time, then fine. However, if they are looking at the pipe as an investment, then they are better off going with an established maker. This does not mean that the younger makers are not offering some quality pipes - but in the real world, a pipe is only worth what someone will pay for it, now or later. It may be priced at $500, but if the buyers only see a pipe they would value at $300, what is it really worth?

(February 24, 2004)

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