How to get a custom made pipe

Ron's the best one I know, but I don't know if he's taking commissions. BST takes commissions and he is an excellent pipe maker from everything I've heard.

It depends on what you want and what your budget is.

I have only commissioned one pipe. I already had three meer pipes from a carver. I explained all the details that I wanted in the pipe. When we agreed on all the details, he carved the pipe and delivered it to me at the next Chicago Pipe Show.

Don't assume anything about the details. I only buy pipes with a tapered stem. Perhaps send the carver pictures, Picture A is what I want the stem to look like, but in blue. Picture B shows how it. . .

Agree on all the details, before the carver starts working.

Actually, I still prefer to buy a pipe that is already available for purchase. The pipe will be complete and you won't have any surprises.

They do well at thanksgiving.

Hi
Why not make your own?

www.mancrates.com/store/products/pipe-carving-kit
webshop.amsmoke.com/briar-block-information.html
vermontfreehand.com/pipe-kits/

etc.

Todd Bannard (BST) makes great pipes. I just commissioned one from him for my birthday. He REALLY pays attention to the things that make a pipe smoke well - airway, stem funneling, etc. I love what he made for me.

Ron (RD pipes) makes very well executed and eye pleasing pipes. Plus, you can pick his style out from a mile away - which, in his case, is a sincere compliment.

Neal Monier makes nice pipes. You can contact him through Facebook or Instagram.

J. L. Thompson (Jason Thompson) makes extremely nice pipes, and oft uses very interesting adornment materials. I just traded a pipe with him, and the pipe I got has a Corian (yes, the countertop material) as a band on it. All very tasteful. He has a website or Instagram.

Jason Patrick (bitofthatpipemaking on Instagram) seems to be making some very nice pipes.

Juan Urquiza is in Instagram. He makes really very nice pipes. He's on Instagram as jpurquiza and has a web site.

There's a bunch of guys out there. Just be careful that it's not all hat and no knickers.

I make passable pipes. You can find me on Instagram under jeverettpipes. I'll also update my old pipe making thread with some recents in a little bit.

I thought somebody around here said you couldn't get BST pipes anymore. But I get all those 3-letter makers confused. BST, LHS, LCS (I think?), etc. And I think there's another _ST or B_T. They all run together on me.

Very nice group of replies!
I will be sure to check in to as many of the options as I can.
My budget is modest as is my tastes. army mounts are nice, I prefer pipes without mixed materials for cold weather but all that can be looked into later.
great job! thanks a lot!

Perhaps you're vaguely remembering that Basil Meadows no longer makes pipes.  I had mentioned that back in August.

As for the original question of commissioning a pipe, find a pipe maker who you like and who commonly makes the style of pipe that you envision.  This is important as it's not a good idea to ask someone to make something which isn't in their wheelhouse.  For example, I would not ask someone who usually makes wild artsy freehands to make me a classic Billiard or Apple.  Also, be patient and be prepared to wait for months once you give the pipe maker the commission.  Most popular, good pipemakers aren't sitting around just waiting for your commission to come in.

Sometimes it feels like you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a pipe maker.  Seems like there's a new one showing up everyday. My best advice is to look for someone who has been around for a few years, has made a lot of pipes, generally makes pipes that appeal to you, and makes pipes within your desired price range.  

As it happens I was listening to The Pipe and Tamper Podcast driving last night. The hosts took a pretty deep dive into this subject. I really enjoyed the podcast and I think this will be helpful to you!
pipeandtamper.com/

Uh huh. I was thinking about regular American carvers, not mythical Danish Chonoswitsch-gods. Of the guys mentioned, Todd is the most expensive. Also probably the one who does best on custom orders.

I tend to think of Todd as mid-tier to upper mid-tier on his pricing. ($300 to 400) Upper-tier priced American carvers include Lee Von Erck, David Huber, Scott Thile, Jeff Gracie, etc. ($500+)

Todd is around $300, sometimes a little more, sometimes a little less. The most expensive pipe I own was made by him, but it was worth every penny. I'm between $200-$225 +/- right now. Neal Monier is around $175 +/-. It all depends on what you want, and if you trust the maker to create something that not only looks great, but smokes as well as it looks.

You also need to keep in mind that a bespoke pipe should be at the very least equal in quality to a higher-end factory/workshop pipe - for which you'd pay over $200 anyway. With a handmade, though, you should be getting attention to things like button shape/size, bite zone thickness, proper stem funneling, proper airway alignment, etc., in addition to proper shaping, no tool marks or sanding lines.

I mean, an independent maker is selecting blocks individually, stem material, and adornments for every pipe they make. Plus equipment costs, time, bad blocks, communication with customers, etc. If you quibble about price on a handmade, just keep in mind all that's going into making that pipe. New guys making halfway decent pipes charging $150 are making like $7-$8/hr. Guys who've been doing it a little longer, charging $200+, ain't making much more. And whatever profit anyone makes usually goes back into materials. It's kind of unfair to expect artisan quality pipes on the cheap - unless you're prepared to get what you pay for.

Well said Jason, only to add that a carver works a piece of briar for hours and it has a fatal flaw.

Underpaid for what is produced.
Bad blocks was alluded to, but it is worth emphasizing.