I was born in 1963 in a small industrial city at Dresden’s doorstep – in Freital. This city was founded in the twenties of the past century in the course of the industry boom in Saxony by uniting at least half a dozen of villages. It is situated in the valley of the river “Wilde Weißeritz” approximately 10 km away from the centre of Dresden, attached to the extension of the eastern part of the mountains “Erzgebirge”.

After ten years in school and an apprenticeship in building trade, I enlisted to join the army for three years. During the course of this sad and lost time, however, I got together with comrades who smoked a pipe from time to time. That is how I discovered pipe smoking for myself. Afterwards, in the middle of the 80s, I did a 3-year study to become a construction engineer. Shortly after my successful final degree, the confusing time of the end of the GDR followed and I took the chance of moving to Cologne. For more than four years, I was living and working in that beautiful city close to the river “Rhein”. In spring-time ’94 I moved back home.

In 2003 I saw a short programme about a pipe maker named Karl Joura. I thought – interesting! With my moderate experiences as hobby wood turner I just wanted to try it as well.

First, I thought that I could already succeed with my wood turning lathe. The work with the wood taught me otherwise. The old wood turning lathe “self-construction” does not exist anymore. Its engine moves my polisher today.

However, the first step had been made. I organised literature for myself, bought new machines, constructed accessories and aids for myself, etc. This took quite a long time to find out how and with what I could work best. Coincidentally, I was lucky because I could watch Mr. Joura, Barbi and Former in Denmark when they were working. Besides, I had and still have interesting conversations with Pfeifen-Wilhelm and Wallenstein. A contact with Mr. Mummer developed as well.

Sometime in 2005, the thought matured to make bended drillings. On the occasion of conversations with dealers, this issue had been mentioned. According to my experience, it is good for the smoke enjoyment to conduct the smoke longer through the wood – similar to the Canadian. New design possibilities would develop as well. In Italy and in France, such pipes were already fabricated within moderate scope.

Now, I began learning a technique with the help of the craftsmen from the closer neighbourhood. I heard that after the seventh attempt at the latest, you will have an acceptable solution to a technical problem. Analyzing the reason of the last failure is a precondition and results in appropriate changes. It has been a long way to reach the bended thrilling – and expensive. The equipment was manufactured individually for me. That is why I would like to keep my solution as a secret.

Currently, I am at a point where I am improving my technique and emphasize the bended drilling. The interest of the pipe smoking community is awakening and that is what makes me happy.

Dorfhain, February 2009

Click on to enlarge

Click on to enlarge.