rastewart
Junior Member
Posts: 360
First Name: Rich
Favorite Pipe: Freehands, bent bulldogs, and the incomparable Peterson 303
Favorite Tobacco: Mac Baren's Scottish Blend (Mixture), C&D Mountain Camp, C&D Bayou Morning
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Post by rastewart on Jul 27, 2022 14:38:32 GMT -5
I just learned that Mike Myers is retiring and closing Walker Pipe Repair. He is going to finish all the work currently in the shop and anything already arranged and on its way to him, but asks that we not send him any new work.
www.walkerpiperepair.com/index.html
I wish Mike well and hope he enjoys a long and happy retirement, but I sure wish I hadn't procrastinated on getting that new stem for my Preben Holm. Don't know where I will find a craftsman as skilled and as good to deal with.
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Post by oldcajun123 on Jul 27, 2022 15:07:48 GMT -5
He will be missed, enjoyed his work throughout the years👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
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Post by trailboss on Jul 27, 2022 15:58:37 GMT -5
Happy retirement to him. I share your regret, I procrastinated.🙁
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Post by johnlawitzke on Jul 27, 2022 16:16:35 GMT -5
Here's Mike's retirement announcement which he posted on Facebook:
Walker Pipe Repair LLC is moving on.
Hello friends! I have decided to make a career move into semi-retirement. After a two year apprenticeship with Dave Wolff and ten years of being in the pipe repair and restoration business, I will be closing my shop. I have met so many wonderful pipe lovers and developed some great business relationships with people in the trade. It really has been one of the highlights of my life. Any orders I now have in my shop will be finished as promised. Any work which was previously authorized and is in transit to me will be finished as promised. Thank you for a great decade of business. I wish you well. Michael Myers 7/27/2022
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Post by Plainsman on Jul 27, 2022 16:30:27 GMT -5
Sad of course for those who know him. I was pleased with the work Briarville did on my Dunhill. Just sayin’…
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rastewart
Junior Member
Posts: 360
First Name: Rich
Favorite Pipe: Freehands, bent bulldogs, and the incomparable Peterson 303
Favorite Tobacco: Mac Baren's Scottish Blend (Mixture), C&D Mountain Camp, C&D Bayou Morning
Location:
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Post by rastewart on Jul 27, 2022 17:24:22 GMT -5
I emailed Mike asking if he recommended anyone, and he said, "Try Tim West in Columbus, Ohio. He's the best!" I know Tim has been around a long time. I'll procrastinate a little longer no doubt (hopefully not too long this time) and then see what he has to say about my Preben Holm, I guess.
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Post by urbino on Jul 27, 2022 18:27:12 GMT -5
End of an era, from everything I've ever heard. Wish him well.
I've also heard nothing but good things about Tim West. He may be busy as a one-armed paperhanger in a butt kicking contest, though, or however that goes.
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Zach
Pro Member
If you can't send money, send tobacco.
Posts: 4,358
First Name: Zach
Favorite Pipe: Too many currently, bound to change
Favorite Tobacco: Haunted Bookshop, Big 'N' Burley, Pegasus, Habana Daydream, OJK, Rum Twist, FVF, Escudo, Orlik Golden Sliced, Kendal Flake, Ennerdale
Location:
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Post by Zach on Jul 27, 2022 18:39:32 GMT -5
Color me confused when I'd thought Mike was already out of the business when he stopped doing Forever Stems. I guess my mind is a bit fuzzy, but his site was on/off broken the past years and I must be confusing his stopping the Forever Stems with stopping completely. I was also panicked until I realized Vermont Freehand makes them, almost panicked enough to still go ahead and order several more Forever Stems, ya never know.
Hopefully Mike enjoys retirement.
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Post by trailboss on Jul 27, 2022 21:10:01 GMT -5
Color me confused when I'd thought Mike was already out of the business when he stopped doing Forever Stems. I guess my mind is a bit fuzzy, but his site was on/off broken the past years and I must be confusing his stopping the Forever Stems with stopping completely. I was also panicked until I realized Vermont Freehand makes them, almost panicked enough to still go ahead and order several more Forever Stems, ya never know. Hopefully Mike enjoys retirement. If memory serves me correct, Dave Wolff at Walker Briar works did the forever stems. Walker pipe repair was an offshoot of that business.
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Post by johnlawitzke on Jul 27, 2022 21:29:49 GMT -5
Color me confused when I'd thought Mike was already out of the business when he stopped doing Forever Stems. I guess my mind is a bit fuzzy, but his site was on/off broken the past years and I must be confusing his stopping the Forever Stems with stopping completely. I was also panicked until I realized Vermont Freehand makes them, almost panicked enough to still go ahead and order several more Forever Stems, ya never know. Hopefully Mike enjoys retirement. If memory serves me correct, Dave Wolff at Walker Briar works did the forever stems. Walker pipe repair was an offshoot of that business. That’s my understanding. Mike apprenticed under Dave. When Dave was ready to semi-retire, Mike took over Walker Pipe Repair while Dave continued with Forever Stems for a while before selling them to Log Cabin which was associated with Missouri Meerschaum. And now they’re at Vermont Freehand.
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Post by sperrytops on Jul 28, 2022 10:12:27 GMT -5
Sad news for those of us who've relied on Mike over the years. Best to Mike in his retirement.
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Post by sperrytops on Jul 28, 2022 10:12:45 GMT -5
Guess I'll have to look hop Tim West.
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Post by mgtarheel on Jul 28, 2022 16:32:10 GMT -5
Sad to see him go, but glad for his retirement.
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Post by peteguy on Jul 28, 2022 18:45:37 GMT -5
Tim West already has a long turn around time or did the last time I inquired. There are a lot of good repairman around that you never hear of. Look on facebook - estate pipe restoration or something like that. 90% of the guys that read and post there will do it. www.facebook.com/groups/152418698689403decided to find it and post and not be a douche.....
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Post by trailboss on Jul 29, 2022 0:21:57 GMT -5
Tim West already has a long turn around time or did the last time I inquired. There are a lot of good repairman around that you never hear of. Look on facebook - estate pipe restoration or something like that. 90% of the guys that read and post there will do it. www.facebook.com/groups/152418698689403decided to find it and post and not be a douche..... That might be a great option to find a local repairman.
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Post by sperrytops on Jul 29, 2022 11:59:55 GMT -5
If Mike recommends Tim West, that's enough for me. After all, Mike's wait time was pretty long as well.
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