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[[Image:Former.jpg|left]] | [[Image:Former.jpg|left]][[File:Former&Wife.jpg|thumb|Former reviewing his wife's finishing work]] | ||
The pipes (and the maker) go by the name '''Former'''. “Former” is the nickname that '''Hans Jonny Nielsen''' was given as a child because of the resemblance to the actor '''George Formby'''. The name evolved into Former, and it has been his nickname ever since. | The pipes (and the maker) go by the name '''Former'''. “Former” is the nickname that '''Hans Jonny Nielsen''' was given as a child because of the resemblance to the actor '''George Formby'''. The name evolved into Former, and it has been his nickname ever since. | ||
Former has about 45 years of experience carving pipes. At the age of 15 he got his first job - at [[Poul Rasmussen]]'s pipe shop in Copenhagen. Former spent two years there repairing pipes. The salary was very small. However, the education was large, because pipe repair taught him much about the way pipes worked. He learned all the different brands of pipes and their characteristics and soon he could repair just about any disaster that can befall a pipe. | Former has about 45 years of experience carving pipes. At the age of 15 he got his first job - at [[Poul Rasmussen]]'s pipe shop in Copenhagen. Former spent two years there repairing pipes. The salary was very small. However, the education was large, because pipe repair taught him much about the way pipes worked. He learned all the different brands of pipes and their characteristics and soon he could repair just about any disaster that can befall a pipe. | ||
After two years with Poul Rasmussen, Former found new challenges. The pipe maker [[Sven Knudsen]], brother of pipe maker [[Teddy Knudsen]], left his job as pipe carver with W.Ø. Larsen to start his own pipe factory, and Former began working with him part time while also retaining a job as machinist. | After two years with Poul Rasmussen, Former found new challenges. The pipe maker [[Sven Knudsen]], brother of pipe maker [[Teddy Knudsen]], left his job as pipe carver with [[W.Ø. Larsen]] to start his own pipe factory, and Former began working with him part time while also retaining a job as machinist. | ||
[[Image:Former Pipe01.jpg|right|thumb|Image Courtesy of Lars Kiel]] | [[Image:Former Pipe01.jpg|right|thumb|Image Courtesy of Lars Kiel]] | ||
[[Image:Former Pipe02.jpg|left|thumb|Image Courtesy of Lars Kiel]] | [[Image:Former Pipe02.jpg|left|thumb|Image Courtesy of Lars Kiel]] | ||
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Soon also German pipe shops learned that he was making his own pipes, and the demand from Germany grew big. Within three years Former was working to capacity and unable to accept more orders. | Soon also German pipe shops learned that he was making his own pipes, and the demand from Germany grew big. Within three years Former was working to capacity and unable to accept more orders. | ||
In 1986 Former met an interesting opportunity when he was asked to go to Switzerland and modernize the old [[Bru-Bu]] factory and to develop a new, high-grade pipe given the English name "[[Bentley]]". He successfully took the opportunity, and spent the next 10 years in Switzerland. Former met his wife, Daniela, while working in Switzerland. In 1997, they decided to purchase the factory machinery and moved to Lauenburg / Elbe, where the Bentley production was continued at [[ | In 1986 Former met an interesting opportunity when he was asked to go to Switzerland and modernize the old [[Bru-Bu]] factory and to develop a new, high-grade pipe given the English name "[[Bentley]]". He successfully took the opportunity, and spent the next 10 years in Switzerland. Former met his wife, Daniela, while working in Switzerland. In 1997, they decided to purchase the factory machinery and moved to Lauenburg / Elbe, where the Bentley production was continued at [[Dan Pipe]]. But Daniela got homesick and so they returned to Denmark. Dan Tobacco (a subsidiary of DanPipe) still manufactures Former's tobacco blends and the building still has the Bentley logo prominently featured on its front. | ||
[[Image:Former Pipe05.jpg|left|thumb|Image Courtesy of Lars Kiel]] | [[Image:Former Pipe05.jpg|left|thumb|Image Courtesy of Lars Kiel]] | ||
[[Image:Former Pipe06.jpg|right|thumb|Image Courtesy of Lars Kiel]] | [[Image:Former Pipe06.jpg|right|thumb|Image Courtesy of Lars Kiel]] | ||
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Former makes two categories of pipes: '''“HANDMADE”''' and '''“FREEHAND”''', and the pipes are stamped with one designation or the other. | Former makes two categories of pipes: '''“HANDMADE”''' and '''“FREEHAND”''', and the pipes are stamped with one designation or the other. | ||
*The following is an excellent video in English of Hans "Former" Nielson interviewed by Lars Kiel about his early years in pipe repair, and how he transitioned into pipe making, and then managing the shop at [[W.Ø. Larsen]]. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yz0ZOuC5TZU '''The Early Days'''] | |||
*And another video of Hans "Former" Nielson making a billiard, also by Lars Kiel. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxVodOHo1Nw&t=1153s '''How Former makes a Billiard'''] | |||
=== Contact Information: === | |||
'''Former Pipes''' | '''Former Pipes''' | ||
Hans Nielsen "Former" | Hans Nielsen "Former" | ||
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4684 Holme Oustrup | 4684 Holme Oustrup | ||
Denmark | Denmark | ||
<revive zone="18" align="center" caption="A selection of Former pipes is available at CIGARWORLD, a new Pipedia Underwriter" /> | |||
[[Category: Pipe makers by nationality]] | [[Category: Pipe makers by nationality]] | ||
[[Category: Denmark]] | [[Category: Denmark]] | ||