Mummert's bits, old and new
Mouthpieces by Mummert
German carver Werner Mummert (http://www.wmummert.de) has changed his attitude to stem-making, incorporating a flared exit in bits made for export. Formerly, Mummert espoused a simple round hole for stability reasons - a concept that was popular with some 'clenchers'. But, he says, there's recently been some criticism from abroad, and "after all, the customer rules."
Where do they all come from?
Online dealer Per Billhäll (http://www.scandpipes.com/) detects a renaissance for the Scandinavian pioneers of the 50s and 60s, especially for pipes made by Sixten Ivarsson. German connoisseur Jörg Lehmann says that the reasons may be largely 'biological', with older collectors passing away and their pieces coming up for sale. He adds that he has seen collections incorporating 15 Sixtens or 40 unsmoked Bangs from the pre-Hansen/Noltensmeier era at auctions. Such pipes often reach dealers' websites in a scattered fashion, Lehmann explains. So the renaissance may partly be a mirage. All the same, Winslow's revival of the fancy pipe and the return of senior carvers like Hans Hartmann indicate a general mood of nostalgia.
Dedicated to Deutschland
Maurizio Tombari (Le Nuvole)
is considering making some pipes with 9mm filter chambers for the German
market. Larry Roush, Trever Talbert and Kent Rasmussen say
that their high-grades will not incorporate such a feature in the forseeable
future - though Talbert's affordable Ligne Bretane includes some filter pipes.
Other makers are keeping their minds open: Johan Slabbert of South
Africa and John Marshall (Millville) carve filter pipes on special
request. So does Mark Tinksy... though he's sceptical about the
desirability of filters.
Expensive carvers probably needn't concern themselves overly. While the majority of German pipe smokers insist on filters, many teutonic high-grade collectors either don't care - or prefer pipes without. Given the rest of the world's tastes, collecting filter pipes would reduce wish lists to the length of a bus ticket.
Roughs
Discussions among German collectors have recently focused on rustication and blasts, indicating a possible change of mood. Overall, the European attitude that rough pipes are distinctly inferior appears to prevail in the German newsgroup DAFT. But, fueled by a look at the work of Jim Cooke, Lee von Erck, Larry Roush and other US makers, some contributors are prepared to admit the lure of American-style 'roughing'.
It's worth noting that prices in Europe reflect - and probably nurture - disdain for non-smooth pipes. Buyers expect to pay a maximum of 2/3 of the tag for a glossy piece when purchasing a blast. By contrast, some American carvers have pricing policies which put a superb blast on a par with, or even well ahead of an average smooth. Now in France, Trever Talbert has applied the same philosophy to his cheaper Ligne Bretagne, which has attracted quite a few EU buyers.
Alas, few European carvers do much to promote enthusiasm about blasting - often simply sending their pieces to a factory to get serviced willy-nilly. Notable exceptions to this rule are Rainer Barbi and Former, who often produce formidable blasts. Bang's blasts are also well worth looking at. Though they're done in the Stanwell factory, Per Hansen reportedly has the privilege of using the machinery there himself.
One other European who goes to great lengths with his blasts is Daniel Jud of Switzerland. An amateur, he owns a horde of equipment which would be the envy of most famous professionals. If you've ever wondered what a sandblasted plateau rim looks like, click here.
(October 24, 2003)