Luna Pipes
About (from Tom's website):
"Luna Pipes was started by cabinet and part-time pipe maker Tom Johnson in Washington State. That's me. After collecting pipes since I was old enough to drive and sneak out to the Tinder Box, I decided to try my hand at making one. Little did I know that it would ruin my love of pipe collecting forever.
I bought a block of briar from Al Baier and did my own machining including a hand cut Corian stem. This was entered in Pipes & Tobaccos first pipe carving contest in 1998 and I came in third place.
This now sent me down the path of no return. Ever striving for perfection, developing newer techniques and skills I decided to sell my first pipe. Would anyone buy? I had no reputation, no idea how to go about it until I discovered the Seattle Pipe Club. At my first meeting I brought a box full of hand made pipes. One member named Al Ford came up and actually wanted to purchase one! Holy crap! What do I do next? Al wrote me a check for a nice bent Dublin freehand with a bamboo shank and a clear acrylic stem.
So there you have it. The bug. The itch. That burning sensation in the back of your head that says, "Go make sawdust!" So I do. Making pipes of exceptional quality and accuracy. Try one and you will see the difference."
Beside freehand briars Tom John offers a line of Fantasy Pipes:
"A few years ago I re-read the Lord of the Rings saga and fell in love all over again. These pipes are a loving tribute to that wonderful story. I know you will enjoy them as much as I do.
Every pipe is made to order to your specs. You will never get an "off the rack" pipe here."
Three basic models named Hobbit, Gandalf and Strider are available in these combinations:
- 18" white ash Gandalf
- 14" white ash Hobbit
- 10" white ash Strider
- 18" all maple Gandalf
- 14" all maple Hobbit
- 10" all maple Strider
- 18" briar Gandalf with maple stem
- 14" briar Hobbit with maple stem
- 10" briar Strider with maple stem
Tom Johnson Bothell (Seattle), WA USA E-mail: tom@lunapipes.com Website: Luna Pipes