Eltang

Tom's website

Tom Eltang took an early interest in pipes and pipe making. From the moment he stared through a tobacco shop display window at age 6, at seeing a magazine that featured very nice pipes with yellow and black staining, he knew he wanted to make something like that with his own hands--he wanted to make pipes.

Eltang made his first pipe from a Pipe Dan kit at the age of 11. Later, he learned about pipe making from a man named Flemming, who worked at at a center that helped youth transition into working adults. Tom made some pipes there in the afternoons and evenings. He was next given a two-week tryout at the Larsen pipe factory, but discovered that was not the right place for him. He was not interested in the factory approach used there at the time, with it's focus on efficiency.

He was introduced to Anne Julie at the age of 16 (August of 1974), and after showing her some of the pipes he had made, he received an apprenticeship. Julie taught Eltang harmony and balance in pipe shaping, as well as the predecessor to the contrast staining technique for which he has become famous. He worked with Julie for three years, and than went to work for Pipe Dan where he did repairs and was also able to make some of his own pipes. Like many, Tom found the repair work was great experience in terms of how a pipe works or doesn't work. After three years with Pipe Dan, Eltang took a job working for Stanwell. He worked for Stanwell till around 1980 when he went into business for himself, but he still sells some of his designs to Stanwell, even now.

Tom has the respect of nearly every pipe maker. His name often comes up in conversation with young pipe makers as a pivotal influence, and he has generously given his time to many up and coming pipe makers from around the World, many of whom make pilgrimages to his shop in Taarbaek.

Part of the Pipes & Tobacco article

Contact information: Eltang Pipes, Hyldegaardsvej 38, 2920 Charlottenlund, Denmark; Phone: +45 3990 4555; Mobile: +45 2681 4555; E-mail: mailto:tom@eltang.com ; iCam: eltangpipes@mac.com

Official dealer list:

Danmark: Bisgaard pipes [1]

Sweden: Scandpipes [2]

Germany: Das Haus Der 10000 Pfeifen [3]; Pfeifenstudio Frank [4]

Italy: AlPascia' [5]

Russia: Galereja Gradusov [6]

Japan: Ginza Kikusui [7]

Taiwan: Kevin pipe Co Ltd. [8]

China: Kevin pipe Co Ltd. [9]

Eddie Wong mailto:careueddiewong@yahoo.com

USA: Uptown´s Smoke Shop [10]; Iwan Ries [11]; Sherlocks Haven [12]; Low Country Pipe& Cigar [13]