Norse
Steve Norse is from Vermont, where his family settled nine generations ago, before Vermont was even a state. And like many of the established Vermont families, his did not offer a lot of "old money" backing as young man. Instead, he has had to be creative. Steve has lived on a beautiful 50 acre estate since he was 20 years old, serving as caretaker in exchange for the use of a large outbuilding that serves as his pipemaking studio, warehouse, and living quarters in an upstairs apartment. Steve also keeps a 7,500 square foot vegetable garden that yields 1,800 to 2,000 pounds of fresh produce a year. This helps to feed him and his friends both directly, and in barter for other locally produced food and goods, with enough left over to provide fresh produce to several local farm to table restaurants.
Steve was first educated as a furniture maker, and later, started making pipes. He estimates he has made between 200 and 300 pipes at this point, but does not keep careful track. His first pipe, like many before him, was from a kit he bought from Pimo Pipe Craft. This kit not only got him started in pipes, but also served as an introduction to Pimo's long time owner, Ginny Baire. They have had an excellent relationship ever since, with each helping the other as Steve grew to love pipemaking, and eventually, the pipe supply business.
Steve is also the owner of Vermont Freehand, which stocks what is undoubtedly the largest selection of pipe making supplies of any supplier. He started the business in 2005, with only $20 in seed money. You may be thinking, "how is that possible?". Well, that's only because you don't know Steve. He's extremely motivated and has a tenacious work ethic. He also takes care of people, treats them very fairly, and he's smart! He's developed relationships with the best suppliers of briar, ebonite rod, and other tools and supplies from around the world. He takes full advantage of buying in volume, and stocks 40 variations of briar, ebonite rod from 3 different manufacturers, and 200 varieties of pre-molded stems in acrylic, vulconite, and bakelite. At times he also finds meerschaum block, strawberry briar, and bog oak, as well as a good inventory of bamboo and other exotic materials.
- A few of the many items stocked by Vermont Freehand
Pipe Kits
Rod Stock
Italian Brian from Mimmo (Romeo Briar)
Algerian Briar
Morta (Bog Oak) Blocks
Bamboo
Specialty Tools
Pipe drill bits
Acrylic Stems
Norris's pipe making supply business has flourished with the influx of new pipe makers. Some of them are looking for a hobby, others are artists finding an fulfilling outlet, and sometimes a living or at least a partial living making pipes. And the Internet has been a huge part of that. The time was right for a business of this kind. He now has more than 9000 repeat customers in 135 countries placing orders. Much of this happened through social media and eBay. Norris never even bothered with his own web site until July 2014.
As you have guessed by now, Steve Norris seldom takes a day off. In spite of that, due to the success of Vermont Freehand, Steve's pipe making has taken a back seat. The few pipes he makes are beautiful, and well crafted, especially when you consider that he is self taught. There are as many ways to make a pipe as there are pipe makers--everybody has their own ways of doing things. When he started he only had a couple of Sanders, a coping shop, and some sandpaper and stain. He learned a lot from the pipe makers forum. And then it was just a matter of practice. Norris says it took about 50 pipes before he gained full appreciation for how important the little things can be. "I've been doing it a long time now, and yet I'm still learning. I can't just whip out a high grade", Norris says.
Steve recently designed several pipes which are serially produced for him by BriarWorks. They come in several shapes and finishes in both briar and Morta.
- Vermont Freehand Pipes, courtesy smokingpipes.com
Smooth NorseDog
Morta NorseDog
Blasted Billiard
Tanblast Cherrywood
Steve also likes doing other things with the material he stocks for pipemakers. Early on it was briar jewelry - and very unique pieces! He's made practically everything from bracelets to earrings to necklaces. Another interesting project he completely recently with the help of luthier friend, William Seeders Mosheim was a Mando Banjo or Banjolin, made largely out of the materials he loves and stocks:
- Banjolin by luthier William Seeders Mosheim
- Briar Jewelry
- You may also enjoy hearing Brian Levine interview Steve on the Pipes Magazine Radio Show
Contact Information:
Steven E. Norse Dorset, Vermont 05251 E-mail: stevenorse@gmail.com Website: http://www.vermontfreehand.com