Pipe smoking has always been a part of my life, except for a few painful years between my grandfather’s death and the advent of my own pipe smoking. I really can’t imagine life without it. In my junior year at University of California Irvine (2008), I discovered the online world of pipes, and subsequently the existence of high grade pipes. I look back on that moment of discovery with elation and dread, because that was fortune bopping me on the head with her wand. I have not been able to STOP making pipes since that time (I have tried to take breaks on occasion, without success). The last 7 years have been spent in pursuit of the goal of being the best pipe maker I can possibly be. 

>With that mindset, I formed J&J Pipes in 2011, along with my good friend John Klose. We learned to source materials, create (and use) proper pipe making tools, create pipes that are functional over a long period of time, and then how to make those pipes beautifully. We were very fortunate to be able to study with Jeff Gracik of J. Alan Pipes on occasion, and his generosity has contributed to our skills in no small measure. Since John and I were making pipes in the same shop and under the same name, consistency was always the loftiest goal we could think of. If we could make pipes that were both beautiful and indistinguishable from one another, we would have “made it.” Towards the end of 2015, we realized that we had met our goal. As we contemplated what our next goals should be, we had two parameters: that we have the ability to be geographically flexible to best serve our families, and that we’d be able to explore our own artistic directions. Since we were satisfied at the level of skill and consistency that we were able to achieve, I was confident that I would be able to retain those skills moving forward into my own aesthetic realm. The last J&J pipes were produced in December of 2015. 
I always try and imbue a sense of life into the pipes I create; pipes from Tokutomi, Gotoh and the rest of the Japanese school have always been a large influence on my work. However, I’ve also been lucky enough to receive instruction and advice from pipe makers who I consider to some of the best in the world: Jeff Gracik and Todd Johnson. I’m incredibly fortunate to learn (through them) all the Danish and Japanese pipe making techniques, possibly distilled in their hands more than anyone else’s. Using this education as a springboard for exploring pipe creation is almost unspeakably exciting to me. I hope that you’ll be able to come on this journey with me. 

About The Pipes

Each pipe is created using well cured, vetted and sourced Mediterranean briar.  All stems are made using ebonite from trusted sources, with occasional guest materials if the pipe absolutely requires it. Materials used for ornamentation will be varied, but will be chosen to give the pipe the most unified and complete aesthetic, as badly chosen or applied accents can give the appearance of gaudiness. 

Stamping

Each pipe will be stamped with my logo, initials, and the year. 

In 2023, I began stamping the highest grade pipes with an oak acorn and leaves: the oak grade pipe. About 5% of my output will be graded this way.