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The first discovery probably is that it is much more difficult than expected. You grind a little here and a little there and before even noticing, you have been grinding too much. When you at last consider yourself ready, the pipe will probably not look as you had anticipated, but perhaps that does not matter. It may look nice anyway and it is much easier to overlook some imperfections knowing that you have made the pipe entirely by yourself. If then the pipe does not taste very well, you will blame the wood. There are briar-blocks that may have an unpleasant taste, but they are rare, very rare. A more accurate explanation is that you have not drilled the block correctly. The interior of a pipe is extremely important. The diameter of all channels must be correct, the tobacco chamber must be formed in a proper way, the tenon must fit correctly, yes, there are a lot of details to think about.
The first discovery probably is that it is much more difficult than expected. You grind a little here and a little there and before even noticing, you have been grinding too much. When you at last consider yourself ready, the pipe will probably not look as you had anticipated, but perhaps that does not matter. It may look nice anyway and it is much easier to overlook some imperfections knowing that you have made the pipe entirely by yourself. If then the pipe does not taste very well, you will blame the wood. There are briar-blocks that may have an unpleasant taste, but they are rare, very rare. A more accurate explanation is that you have not drilled the block correctly. The interior of a pipe is extremely important. The diameter of all channels must be correct, the tobacco chamber must be formed in a proper way, the tenon must fit correctly, yes, there are a lot of details to think about.


But how can you learn to make all these details correctly? Many pipemakers have stated that the best way is to start with repairing. The late, famous pipemaker [['''Sixten Ivarsson''']] started his career this way. But a happy amateur cannot start repairing other people’s pipes, so he has to stick to his own. One advantage with this is that you do not have to stop by just replacing a broken tenon or putting a new stem on the pipe, you can also change the exterior of the pipe. If you find the shank a little too clumsy, make it a little thinner. And if the head is too chubby you can change that too. In that way you get experience and are developing your sense for proportions.
But how can you learn to make all these details correctly? Many pipemakers have stated that the best way is to start with repairing. The late, famous pipemaker [[Sixten Ivarsson]] started his career this way. But a happy amateur cannot start repairing other people’s pipes, so he has to stick to his own. One advantage with this is that you do not have to stop by just replacing a broken tenon or putting a new stem on the pipe, you can also change the exterior of the pipe. If you find the shank a little too clumsy, make it a little thinner. And if the head is too chubby you can change that too. In that way you get experience and are developing your sense for proportions.


In spring 1993 I got a letter containing the following passage''':'''
In spring 1993 I got a letter containing the following passage''':'''


Yesterday I altered the shape of an old Stanwell-pipe. I made it 8-pannelled and made the shank and bite a little thinner. It looks wonderful. Even my dear wife thought it was beautiful. Remains seeing if that impression lasts.
"Yesterday I altered the shape of an old Stanwell-pipe. I made it 8-pannelled and made the shank and bite a little thinner. It looks wonderful. Even my dear wife thought it was beautiful. Remains seeing if that impression lasts."


The letter came from [[Bengt Carlson]] but at that time, I had no idea what this experiment and others would lead to. If I had known, I think my mind had boggled.
The letter came from [[Bengt Carlson]] but at that time, I had no idea what this experiment and others would lead to. If I had known, I think my mind had boggled.
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I reminded Bengt about the letter and he remembered the pipe, but it is no longer in his possession. “I have probably sold it at one of our auctions”, was his comment. Bengt was also surprised that he had made 8 panels; he thought that seemed too “square”.
I reminded Bengt about the letter and he remembered the pipe, but it is no longer in his possession. “I have probably sold it at one of our auctions”, was his comment. Bengt was also surprised that he had made 8 panels; he thought that seemed too “square”.
   
   
From a nostalgic view it is a pity that Bengt no longer owns this pipe, because I think the altering of this specific pipe made him interested in making pipes of his own. Bengt knew that I was dabbling in this hobby and that I bought my blocks from Bo Nordh. It did not take long till Bengt paid this master a visit. So now I was no longer the only buyer of “cast-off blocks” from Bo, I had got competition. “Cast-off blocks” may sound second-hand and bad quality, but it is not quite like that. Bo buys sacks of blocks in the highest quality available. Then he is grinding all the blocks and keeps the ones he considers best suited for his pipes. The rest we may buy. But Bo has an extremely good reputation, so no one delivers anything but the very very best to him. That means that even the blocks he rejects are of such a high quality that similar blocks are hard to find anywhere else.
From a nostalgic view it is a pity that Bengt no longer owns this pipe, because I think the altering of this specific pipe made him interested in making pipes of his own. Bengt knew that I was dabbling in this hobby and that I bought my blocks from [[Bo Nordh]]. It did not take long till Bengt paid this master a visit. So now I was no longer the only buyer of “cast-off blocks” from Bo, I had got competition. “Cast-off blocks” may sound second-hand and bad quality, but it is not quite like that. Bo buys sacks of blocks in the highest quality available. Then he is grinding all the blocks and keeps the ones he considers best suited for his pipes. The rest we may buy. But Bo has an extremely good reputation, so no one delivers anything but the very very best to him. That means that even the blocks he rejects are of such a high quality that similar blocks are hard to find anywhere else.


Bengt became a frequent visitor to Bo Nordh and he really took notice of all good advises he got. I think that Bo and Bengt are similar in one way, they have an absolute feeling to make nothing but the perfect. I also think Bo quite early noticed Bengt’s great talent for pipemaking, which not the least was noticeable in his attitude. When I showed some pipes I had made to Bo, he was always overlooking and kind. He realised that I was a happy amateur and would never be anything else. With Bengt there was a difference - Bo was very critical, sometimes even ruthless. The explanation is, of course, that he noticed Bengt’s talent.
Bengt became a frequent visitor to [[Bo Nordh]] and he really took notice of all good advice he got. I think that Bo and Bengt are similar in one way, they have an absolute feeling to make nothing but the perfect. I also think Bo quite early noticed Bengt’s great talent for pipemaking, which not the least was noticeable in his attitude. When I showed some pipes I had made to Bo, he was always overlooking and kind. He realised that I was a happy amateur and would never be anything else. With Bengt there was a difference - Bo was very critical, sometimes even ruthless. The explanation is, of course, that he noticed Bengt’s talent.




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I have always been very fond of this shape and when I recently on my 60’s birthday got a Blowfish from Bengt, my happiness was complete. And I think the pipe I got, is the most beautiful Blowfish Bengt ever made. Of course I have to put a picture of this “dream-pipe” here.
I have always been very fond of this shape and when I recently on my 60’s birthday got a Blowfish from Bengt, my happiness was complete. And I think the pipe I got, is the most beautiful Blowfish Bengt ever made. Of course I have to put a picture of this “dream-pipe” here.
Every time I speak to Bengt about the Blowfish, he shakes his head and says: “I have so many times decided never to make a pipe in that shape again, but then I find a suitable block and suddenly I have started once more”. I am not alone to be grateful for this, many of his customers are constantly asking for a Blowfish signed BC Sweden.
Every time I speak to Bengt about the Blowfish, he shakes his head and says: “I have so many times decided never to make a pipe in that shape again, but then I find a suitable block and suddenly I have started once more”. I am not alone to be grateful for this, many of his customers are constantly asking for a Blowfish signed '''BC Sweden'''.




'''Bamboo and Horn'''
'''Bamboo and Horn'''
 
[[Image:Bengt Carlson Pipe03.jpg|left|thumb]]
[[Image:Bengt Carlson Pipe02.jpg|right|thumb]]
When this is written Bengt is eagerly working with bamboo and horn, two materials he has not been using before. So this is a new challenge. By the way, bamboo is very hard to find nowadays and has become very expensive. You can not use any bamboo, the annual rings have to be close. One of the first pipes with bamboo Bengt made is an “Elephant Foot” and you can see that pipe here.
When this is written Bengt is eagerly working with bamboo and horn, two materials he has not been using before. So this is a new challenge. By the way, bamboo is very hard to find nowadays and has become very expensive. You can not use any bamboo, the annual rings have to be close. One of the first pipes with bamboo Bengt made is an “Elephant Foot” and you can see that pipe here.


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'''Many hobbies, much to do'''
'''Many hobbies, much to do'''
[[Image:Bengt Carlson Pipe01.jpg|left|thumb]]
[[Image:Bengt Carlson Pipe01.jpg|left|thumb]]
[[Image:Bengt Carlson Pipe02.jpg|right|thumb]]
Bengt is today sharing his time between looking after his grand-children, playing golf, taking care of the family’s summer-house, serving his wife Inga-Lill who is still working and –of course- making pipes. Sometimes I take him away from all these duties with a lot of articles and pictures and then he has to start making a new issue of Rökringar, the magazine for the Pipe Club of Sweden. I think the life as a retired may be a little stressful sometimes, but it sounds like a really good life, no?
[[Image:Bengt Carlson Pipe03.jpg|left|thumb]]
[[Image:Bengt Carlson Pipe05.jpg|right|thumb]]
[[Image:Bengt Carlson Pipe05.jpg|right|thumb]]
Bengt is today sharing his time between looking after his grand-children, playing golf, taking care of the family’s summer-house, serving his wife Inga-Lill who is still working and – of course - making pipes. Sometimes I take him away from all these duties with a lot of articles and pictures and then he has to start making a new issue of '''Rökringar''', the magazine for the '''Pipe Club of Sweden'''. I think the life as a retiree may be a little stressful sometimes, but it sounds like a really good life, no?

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