2,411
edits
S. Bang: Difference between revisions
no edit summary
(oo) |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 19: | Line 19: | ||
The first to come and stay was '''Per Hansen'''. Born in 1948 and educated as an electrician, he had started making pipes in his leisure times for Hans '''[[Hartmann]]''' before he worked short-term - appr. two months - for '''[[Preben Holm]]''' when S. Bang lured him away in 1970. At PH's manufacture he met and made friends with Ulf Noltensmeier. | The first to come and stay was '''Per Hansen'''. Born in 1948 and educated as an electrician, he had started making pipes in his leisure times for Hans '''[[Hartmann]]''' before he worked short-term - appr. two months - for '''[[Preben Holm]]''' when S. Bang lured him away in 1970. At PH's manufacture he met and made friends with Ulf Noltensmeier. | ||
'''Ulf Noltensmeier''', also born in 1948 and a native German, began making pipes during his military service. He went to Denmark shortly after and was hired by Preben Holm in 1970, too. Evidently, Noltensmeier and Holm were not on good terms. When he asked him if they could do something about the noise in the workshop Holm, basically a lad of 23 at the time, said NO, if you don't like it, you can leave. So he did to work | '''Ulf Noltensmeier''', also born in 1948 and a native German, began making pipes during his military service. He went to Denmark shortly after and was hired by Preben Holm in 1970, too. Evidently, Noltensmeier and Holm were not on good terms. When he asked him if they could do something about the noise in the workshop Holm, basically a lad of 23 at the time, said NO, if you don't like it, you can leave. So he did to work for '''[[Anne Julie]]''' subsequently for 15 months before he followed Svend Bang's call in 1971. Now the Bang crew was complete and the success story of the S. Bang Pipes really began! | ||
The beginning wasn't free of conflicts and turbulences, for initially not all conceivabilities of Hansen and Noltensmeier concured thoroughly with Bang's. The latter was deeply impressed with the enormous success of Preben Holm, who managed a real pipe factory with more than 40 people at this time and produced high-value pipes in huge numbers. Svend Bang wasn't unwilling to see his business developing into this direction. Also detail questions had to be clarified. For instance, Bang found hand-cut mouthpieces too costly and time-consuming - His young pipemakers however were set on meticulous, complete handwork in every aspect and using the very best materials exclusively. Bang finally let convince himself by the success of the absolute quality Hansen and Noltensmeier produced. Fortunately, one would like to add. | |||
[[Image:Bang Pipe03.jpg|left|thumb|]][[Image:Bang Pipe04.jpg|right|thumb|]] | |||
[[Image:Bang Pipe05.jpg|left|thumb|]][[Image:Bang Pipe06.jpg|right|thumb|]] | |||
[[Image:Bang Pipe07.jpg|left|thumb|]] | |||
The success of these high-grade pipes soon exceeded the capabilities. By the end of 1975 the workshop bursted at the seams. So, in 1976 Bang's Pibemageri resettled in Struenseegade 9 in Copenhagen's northern area where it is yet today. | |||
| Line 26: | Line 33: | ||
Once Hansen and Noltensmeier took over the company (in 1984) they knew it was best to retain the S. Bang name - the two carvers always shared the same philosophy about that. Noltensmeier and Hansen were determined to maintain top quality at the expense of increased numbers. | Once Hansen and Noltensmeier took over the company (in 1984) they knew it was best to retain the S. Bang name - the two carvers always shared the same philosophy about that. Noltensmeier and Hansen were determined to maintain top quality at the expense of increased numbers. | ||
Still, they are two separate carvers, with their own styles and preferences. Each makes his own pipes - there is no "assembly line" construction at S. Bang. They bounce ideas off of each other, of course, and admit that when problems arise in a pipe, it is nice to have a partner to discuss them with. | Still, they are two separate carvers, with their own styles and preferences. Each makes his own pipes - there is no "assembly line" construction at S. Bang. They bounce ideas off of each other, of course, and admit that when problems arise in a pipe, it is nice to have a partner to discuss them with. | ||
Though they carve pipes as individuals, there are similarities in their work. All Bang pipes are made with black, hand-cut vulcanite stems. | Though they carve pipes as individuals, there are similarities in their work. All Bang pipes are made with black, hand-cut vulcanite stems. | ||
| Line 35: | Line 41: | ||
Per Hansen is the designated sandblasting artist for the team. He personally takes those pieces that are to be sandblasted to [[Stanwell]], and is permitted to use the sandblasting equipment himself. That is the only S. Bang process, though, that is not executed by the individual carver of each pipe. Everything else, including the famous S. Bang silverwork, is done in the shop by each of the carvers on his own pipes | Per Hansen is the designated sandblasting artist for the team. He personally takes those pieces that are to be sandblasted to [[Stanwell]], and is permitted to use the sandblasting equipment himself. That is the only S. Bang process, though, that is not executed by the individual carver of each pipe. Everything else, including the famous S. Bang silverwork, is done in the shop by each of the carvers on his own pipes | ||
Bang pipes for the U.S. market are stamped with year and number codes and the personal stamp of the carver. The number is not a grading stamp - it just indicates which pipe it is. | Bang pipes for the U.S. market are stamped with year and number codes and the personal stamp of the carver. The number is not a grading stamp - it just indicates which pipe it is. | ||