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Jeff's [ | If you take a look at the pipe making greats, you will usually find one of a couple of paths into their craft. Either they were born into a home where there were pipe makers, Lars and Nanna Ivarsson ([[Ivarssons]]) come to mind of course, but so do many others, or they played with it for a bit over a long period of time, then finally put their all into the briar; Peter [[Matzhold]] comes to mind. Then we have Jeff Gracik. | ||
[[File:JeffGracik.jpg|thumb|left|Jeff Gracik, courtesy [http://tobaccodays.com/2011/10/jeff-gracik-of-j-alan-pipes-arrived-at-the-top-with-time-to-spare/ TobaccoDays.com]]]J.Alan pipes are made by Jeffrey A. Burt-Gracik in lovely San Diego, California. Having chosen an ideal location to not only live and surf, but make pipes in a workshop that gets neither too cold nor too hot, Jeff is one of the very few makers worldwide that has ideal working conditions. | |||
Born of Meadville, Pennsylvania, Princeton educated, Jeff played with making a couple of pipes while earning his Master's degree. He then immediately became addicted to the craft and went full-time pipe maker. | |||
Jeff Gracik does nothing by half measure, and his pipes were no exception. He didn't want to create a product that was "acceptable" but one that excelled. To this end, he devoured the PIMO book and sought advice from pipe maker [[Tim West]]. Shortly, Jeff made the pilgrimage to learn side by side with his friend and mentor, American master [[Todd Johnson]]. Pipe makers to follow included Danish carver [[Tonni Nielsen]] and American wizard Jody Davis ([[J. Davis Pipes]]). | |||
Jeff's shaping aesthetic, while showing obvious influences from the likes of Todd, Jody, and Tonni, is quite impossible to pigeon hole. He never approaches a block of briar with a specific theme in mind, rather allowing his mood to combine with the dictates of the wood's grain to create something so "within the moment," that it's exact likes will never be seen again. | |||
All J.Alan pipes are shaped from exquisite blocks of top-grade briar cured and aged to make the best pieces possible. Each stem is expertly hand-cut and slotted from ebonite, cumberland, or vintage Bakelite. Perfect mouth-feel completes each piece, which is why you will never question the smoking properties of a J.Alan pipe after trying your first. Limiting use of accents for consistency and a body of work, one might occasionally find bamboo, silver (which Jeff does himself), boxwood, and a few others. Finishing only smooth or blasted pieces, each J.Alan is a full extension of the maker. Being an avid surfer, Jeff's highest grade (and rarely produced) is the "Wave." Other pieces aren't graded, but easily fit on a timeline as each is stamped with the number of production and the year. ''Courtesy [https://www.smokingpipes.com/pipes/new/alan/ smokingpipes.com]'' | |||
[[Image:jeffgracik1.jpg|thumb|left|Zen Blowfish]][[Image:jeffgracik2.jpg|thumb|right|Zen Blowfish]] | [[Image:jeffgracik1.jpg|thumb|left|Zen Blowfish]][[Image:jeffgracik2.jpg|thumb|right|Zen Blowfish]] | ||
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'''The Genesis of J. Alan Pipes (from Jeff's website [http://www.jalanpipes.com/])''' | '''The Genesis of J. Alan Pipes (from Jeff's website [http://www.jalanpipes.com/])''' | ||
[[Image:65thjalan.jpg|thumb|Bamboo Elephant's Foot, courtesy, [http://www.smokershaven.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=3748 Smokers Haven, 65th Anniversary set]]]Like many other pipemakers before me, I began with a few hobby-grade briar blocks, preformed stems, and a few hand tools. Soon after making my first few pipes, I began to explore my creativity and technical ability by increasing the difficulty of designs and utilizing exotic hardwoods as decorative extensions and inserts. A major turn in my understanding of pipe design and engineering occurred | [[Image:65thjalan.jpg|thumb|Bamboo Elephant's Foot, courtesy, [http://www.smokershaven.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=3748 Smokers Haven, 65th Anniversary set]]]Like many other pipemakers before me, I began with a few hobby-grade briar blocks, preformed stems, and a few hand tools. Soon after making my first few pipes, I began to explore my creativity and technical ability by increasing the difficulty of designs and utilizing exotic hardwoods as decorative extensions and inserts. A major turn in my understanding of pipe design and engineering occurred under the tutelage of the artisan behind STOA Briars, [[Todd Johnson]]. Todd introduced me to the Danish pipemaking tradition by helping hone my designs into more graceful, flowing creations. Additionally, acquainted me with the unique Danish drilling techniques that enable the pipemaker to fully utilize the grain of each block. This experience represented a transition point in my craft from hobby-quality to high-grade smoking pipes. After retooling my shop and acquiring better materials, I was able to combine these with the knowledge I had gained while working with Todd and increase the quality of my products. | ||
I continue to seek consultation and criticism from collectors, experts, and fellow pipemakers. I am especially indebted to Tyler Beard, Neil Flancbaum, Jody Davis, Keith Moore, Jeff Folloder, and Jesper Klith for their time and expertise. It is because of their help that my craftsmanship and artistic sensibilities are able to continue to develop and mature. J. Alan Pipes represent a commitment to constant improvement and refinement of both design and engineering. It is my desire to make the most beautiful and best smoking pipes that I am able to create. Please feel free to browse through the [http://www.jalanpipes.com/showroom.html showroom]to see this commitment in process. | I continue to seek consultation and criticism from collectors, experts, and fellow pipemakers. I am especially indebted to Tyler Beard ([[Tyler Lane Pipes]]), Neil Flancbaum, Jody Davis ([[J. Davis Pipes]]), Keith Moore, Jeff Folloder, and Jesper Klith for their time and expertise. It is because of their help that my craftsmanship and artistic sensibilities are able to continue to develop and mature. J. Alan Pipes represent a commitment to constant improvement and refinement of both design and engineering. It is my desire to make the most beautiful and best smoking pipes that I am able to create. Please feel free to browse through the [http://www.jalanpipes.com/showroom.html showroom]to see this commitment in process. | ||
See also, [[A Conversation with Jeff Gracik]]. | *See also, [[A Conversation with Jeff Gracik]]. | ||
*Excellent interview on [http://tobaccodays.com/2011/10/jeff-gracik-of-j-alan-pipes-arrived-at-the-top-with-time-to-spare/ Tobaccodays.com] | |||
'''Contact Information''': | '''Contact Information''': | ||
Jeff Gracik | |||
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jalanpipes/ | |||
J. Alan Pipes | J. Alan Pipes | ||
Email: mailto:jeff@jalanpipes.com | Email: mailto:jeff@jalanpipes.com | ||
Telephone: | Telephone: | ||