Elliott Pipes

From Pipes, Artisans and Trademarks, by Jose Manuel Lopés'

Skip Elliot has made pipes since 1989 in the workshop annexed to his home in Maylene, Alabama. He uses Greek briar and acrlic stems Skip works daily in the The Briary tobacconist's, which he founded in 1974 along with his parents. Today The Brairy is in an old restored country farm house, and has a wide range of pipes, cheroots, and tobaccos available, as well as its own smoking rooms.

The Briary, from The Leather Nomad Blog
Skip Elliot, from The Leather Nomad Blog

From Skip's site: [1]

I am a retailer that loves pipes and supplements the business by making them. The shape of each pipe is dictated by the grain and or growth rings. Because of this I can not feel comfortable doing special orders. By all means contact me if you want something specific. I can get the information and when the correct piece of briar comes up I will let you know.

Skip Elliott Calabash
Elliot with a very unique deep partial blasting technique akin to carving

Each pipe is a opportunity for me to do something creative. It is hard to decide whether I enjoy the creativity or the feedback from the eventual owner the most.

In a good month I complete about two pipes. At 30-35 hours per pipe there is just so much spare time.

I cut my own stems by hand. Sandblasting is my preferred way of roughing up a pipe but on occasion I rusticate them. No putty will ever be used to fill an imperfection.

My pipes have been enjoyed all over the world. Some were ordered by various customers while others were taken there. One of the more interesting ones was when Dr. Pat Ryan bought two as gifts. He then took them with him on safari in Botswana. One was presented to famous big game hunter Johan Calitz the other was for Tony Makris. Tony has a program "UNDER WILD SKYS AFRICA" that is seen on ESPN2. These guys all sat around the campfire smoking ELLIOTT pipes in the evenings. I just wish I had pictures.

If it is pictures you want please look at PIPE & TOBACCO Spring 2006. Dale Harrison did a great story about my pipes.


Contact Information:

The Briary 
Website: http://www.thebriary.com/
609 Oak Grove Road
Homewood, AL US
1-877-3-BRIARY or (1-877-327-4279) toll free
E-mail: thebriary@msn.com