Bargiel

From Pipes, Artisans and Trademarks, by José Manuel Lopes

Philippe Bargiel is a French artisan who carves meerschaums accourding to the Vienna school, still treating and immersing the bowls in spermaceti, "an oil that comes from the frontal sinus cavity of the sperm whale, but in bleached wax", which according to Philippe, gives the pipe a nicer coloring as it is smoked. He learned this art at Sommer's workshop. At the moment his principal activity is the restoration of old meerschaum and briar pipes.

He accepts special pipe commissions, but the delivery date is always at least a year ahead and the prices are high. His pipes are normally for sale in shops, for example, A La Civette, and A I'Orientale, in Paris.