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[[File:Michael Kabik - Making Pipes.png|300px|thumb|right|Michael Kabik crafting a pipe]]As anyone involved in the arts will tell you, there is a lot of frustration with the arts, in all categories, because much of what is determined to be relevant is determined by elite groups. My frustrations come not from not feeling that I was the “best,” whatever that means, but that I honestly cannot imagine any American pipe maker having produced and marketed more quality pipes during the “golden age” than myself. Sorry if this sounds over the top, but it is a fact, in my mind, that I cannot escape. | [[File:Michael Kabik - Making Pipes.png|300px|thumb|right|Michael Kabik crafting a pipe]]As anyone involved in the arts will tell you, there is a lot of frustration with the arts, in all categories, because much of what is determined to be relevant is determined by elite groups. My frustrations come not from not feeling that I was the “best,” whatever that means, but that I honestly cannot imagine any American pipe maker having produced and marketed more quality pipes during the “golden age” than myself. Sorry if this sounds over the top, but it is a fact, in my mind, that I cannot escape. | ||
In the 1960's, I was working in a plastics factory in Baltimore and trading or selling sculpture I would do at night in my tiny apartment, which I shared with my future wife, Deanna. In 1971, I was approached about a job by one of my relatives, Jay Rostov. In the 1960s, I had helped Jay build Jay’s Smoke Shop and was his first employee. Since that time, he had set up one of the very first freehand pipe-making operations in the U.S. along with his partner, Chuck Holiday, called '''CHP-X Pipes'''. The staff consisted of four full-timers actually making the pipes and perhaps another four in sales and office work. Chuck, who did the actual design and carving, had long since had serious disagreements with Jay and split. Chuck’s replacement from the staff was quitting, and Jay was in a bind. Jay offered me the job, and I gladly accepted. The fellow quitting was supposed to train me for two months but left after two weeks, leaving me with an awesome responsibility. I felt as though the future employment of all these people depended on me as the designer and cutter…and it did. These were very talented people and consisted of one person to do finishing sanding, one for stem design and cutting, and another for staining and buffing. On average, we produced 150 pipes every week. A very creative bunch that was totally devoted to the craft, so much so that occasionally we were asked to forego salary until cash flow was up to snuff. We always agreed, unanimously. | In the 1960's, I was working in a plastics factory in Baltimore and trading or selling sculpture I would do at night in my tiny apartment, which I shared with my future wife, Deanna. In 1971, I was approached about a job by one of my relatives, Jay Rostov. In the 1960s, I had helped Jay build Jay’s Smoke Shop and was his first employee. Since that time, he had set up one of the very first freehand pipe-making operations in the U.S. along with his partner, Chuck Holiday, called '''[[CHP-X]] Pipes'''. The staff consisted of four full-timers actually making the pipes and perhaps another four in sales and office work. Chuck, who did the actual design and carving, had long since had serious disagreements with Jay and split. Chuck’s replacement from the staff was quitting, and Jay was in a bind. Jay offered me the job, and I gladly accepted. The fellow quitting was supposed to train me for two months but left after two weeks, leaving me with an awesome responsibility. I felt as though the future employment of all these people depended on me as the designer and cutter…and it did. These were very talented people and consisted of one person to do finishing sanding, one for stem design and cutting, and another for staining and buffing. On average, we produced 150 pipes every week. A very creative bunch that was totally devoted to the craft, so much so that occasionally we were asked to forego salary until cash flow was up to snuff. We always agreed, unanimously. | ||
''At this point, I’d like to talk about what, by my definition, a freehand pipe is. This technique was pioneered, I believe, by the Danes, and the techniques we used were adapted from them. Freehand means that the block is held freely in the hands and, in our case, pressed up against a spinning wooden disk, about 10” across, with a heavy grit sandpaper, cutting usually along the edge, to achieve the shape desired. The pipe is basically sculpted as opposed to turned on a lathe, using the same principles as pottery making. There is a big difference. Try drawing a perfect circle with your hand as opposed to a compass, and I think you will get the drift. I feel strongly that this distinction is not stressed enough in the collectible trade. Pipes phrased, or machine made like a house key, are machine made. Pipes turned on a lathe should be termed handmade. Pipes cut with a carving knife should be called sculptures. Those held freely in the hand and pressed against a cutting device are freehands. Understand that I have great respect for turned pipes. It requires a different skill set and can be every bit as glorious in its final design, but a distinction should be made.'' | ''At this point, I’d like to talk about what, by my definition, a freehand pipe is. This technique was pioneered, I believe, by the Danes, and the techniques we used were adapted from them. Freehand means that the block is held freely in the hands and, in our case, pressed up against a spinning wooden disk, about 10” across, with a heavy grit sandpaper, cutting usually along the edge, to achieve the shape desired. The pipe is basically sculpted as opposed to turned on a lathe, using the same principles as pottery making. There is a big difference. Try drawing a perfect circle with your hand as opposed to a compass, and I think you will get the drift. I feel strongly that this distinction is not stressed enough in the collectible trade. Pipes phrased, or machine made like a house key, are machine made. Pipes turned on a lathe should be termed handmade. Pipes cut with a carving knife should be called sculptures. Those held freely in the hand and pressed against a cutting device are freehands. Understand that I have great respect for turned pipes. It requires a different skill set and can be every bit as glorious in its final design, but a distinction should be made.'' | ||
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During my run, I made over 50,000 pipes as well as a few for folks like Governor Marvin Mandel of Maryland, President Gerald Ford (a two-pipe set), and President Anwar Sadat of Egypt, as well as for movie celebrities and other persons of note. But the folks who really mattered were the pipe lovers at large who appreciated and enjoyed my creations over the years. So, thank you, from the very bottom of my heart, for your support . I also have to thank my ex-wife of 24 years, Deanna, for her support and for sticking through all the ups and downs and craziness that comes from being married to an artist. Also, loving thanks to my two great kids (23 and 33 years old!), Gabe and Sidra, who are by far my best creations. | During my run, I made over 50,000 pipes as well as a few for folks like Governor Marvin Mandel of Maryland, President Gerald Ford (a two-pipe set), and President Anwar Sadat of Egypt, as well as for movie celebrities and other persons of note. But the folks who really mattered were the pipe lovers at large who appreciated and enjoyed my creations over the years. So, thank you, from the very bottom of my heart, for your support . I also have to thank my ex-wife of 24 years, Deanna, for her support and for sticking through all the ups and downs and craziness that comes from being married to an artist. Also, loving thanks to my two great kids (23 and 33 years old!), Gabe and Sidra, who are by far my best creations. | ||
*You may also enjoy listening to Brian Levine's interview with Michael on the [http://pipesmagazine.com/blog/radio-talk-show/the-pipes-magazine-radio-show-episode-236/ Pipes Magazine Radio Show] | |||
[[Category: Pipe makers by nationality]][[Category: United States]] | [[Category: Pipe makers by nationality]][[Category: United States]] | ||