Thurmann Piber

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Compilation, courtesy Doug Valitchka
Bjorn Thurmann and his wife at their display, courtesy Zemanpipes.com

Note: We are saddened to learn that Bjorn Thurmann passed away not too long ago. His son has now taken over the business.

From Jan Andersson's excellent book, Scandinavian Pipemakers

Bjorn Thurman was born in 1946, some would say, "born into the tobacco trade". In 1953 his parents opened a pipe shop in central Copenhagen and Bjorn helped them there from the beginning, mainly by sorting pipes Initially the pipes were bought from a firm called Larsen & Stigart, but eventually they decided to start their own production. In the norther part of Jutland here were some skilled pipemakers who were looking work, so that seemed to be a good place for a pipe factory. That was in 1968 and by then Bjorn had been working in the shop for four years.

Bjorn's parents though that their son ought to widen his views and get some international experience, so in 1968 he was sent to Londeon to work in different tobacconists shops, a period of learning that ended at Dunill's famous shop on Duke Street. After returning home, he almost immediately received an offer to work for Iwan Ries & Co. in Chicago, an offer that was hard to resist, so off he went. During 1969-1970 Bjorn, together with 17 other assistants, was selling pipes and tobacco in the largest tobacconist shop in the world. So to say that Bjorn has an international perspective on everything related to pipes and tobacco is no exaggeration.

In 1976 Bjorn established himself as an independent pipemaker, and since then he has had shops in several places in Copenhagen. Be the native city dweller longed for something else and in 2005 decided to make a dream come true--he moved to the little village Svaneke on the Isle of Bornholm. A big step, but one he has never regretted. Svaneke is a small village where there are a lot of artists, a wonderful setting for a creative pipemaker.

Bjorn has also written a book called Pibemagerens Handbog (The Pipemakers Handbook), which tells how to make a pipe using the simple tools most people have at home. This book inspired Vollmer & Nilsson, and has been a great help to many hobbyists.

When Bjorn Thurmann can’t be found in his nice workshop in Copenhagen he will probably be attending his other great devotion – fishing. Bjorn has just realized one of his old ideas: “The worlds first Angler hand carved pipe”. It’s a beautiful straight model with bamboo shank – but not just any bamboo, Bjorn is using genuine handmade “Split Cane” (what else for an Angler pipe), decorated with genuine jungle cock feathers.

Have a look at his pipes below accompanied by his own words: WORD’S 1st ANGLER HANDCARVED PIPE.

Follow Izaak Walton’s footsteps ! “To be or not to be, that is the question”, but to be an angler and a pipe smoker, are the perfect combination to relax and “disappear” from the daily stress.

You now have the chance to be one of the few - among many pipe smokers, to obtain a numbered pipe of The Angler pipe with your own name on the certificate. The production is very limited, therefore I take the liberty to put you on special order, for the last amount of the pipes.

There are many operations in pipe making, which can only be done by hand. Therefore the skill and degree and hand craftsmanship is of great importance.

The first Hand carved Angler pipe is shaped in accordance with the grain of the briar – between bowl and stem, the shank is mounted with real split cane, which gives the Angler a proud design to reflect his personality, furthermore the split cane is fitted with genuine jungle cock feathers. To complete your smoking, The Angler Pipe can be obtained with a tamper. Why not? - or off course! The tamper is split cane, too, jungle cock mounted, and sterling silver ends.

Gallery

Contact information

Bjørn Thurmann's Pibemageri
Postgade 5
DK-3740 Svaneke
Denmark

Website: http://www.thurmann.dk/
E-mail:  mailto:pipemaker@thurmann.dk
Tlf.     +45 5647 2814