J. Alan Pipes

J. Alan Pipes Maker of Fine Briar Pipes

Ring Grain Lumberman coming up tomorrow! It’s good to be back in the shop.
05/14/2026

Ring Grain Lumberman coming up tomorrow! It’s good to be back in the shop.

If Chicago prep is a storm (and trust me, I love a good storm), this is the calm. Enjoying some old, old Capstan and Abr...
05/09/2026

If Chicago prep is a storm (and trust me, I love a good storm), this is the calm. Enjoying some old, old Capstan and Abrasolo Mexican Whisky in the Valle.

I’m truly grateful for everyone who came out to make the show a success this year. After a short break, I’ll be back to work prepping for

🍷

With half a day before I board a plane bound for I wanted to begin sharing some things that you can look forward to see...
04/28/2026

With half a day before I board a plane bound for I wanted to begin sharing some things that you can look forward to seeing there. An ultra-rare Wave Grade, this calabash is one of the finest pipes I’ve ever made. It has been months in the making, with caps in both Ivorite and boxwood. The stand is crafted from boxwood (from the same piece as the cap with an Ivorite and Ebonite holder for the pipe. Only available in Chicago.

After lunch treats. Mokume tamper by Lighter by IM CoronaPipe, Guitar Pick blending plate, and Coffee by me
04/24/2026

After lunch treats.

Mokume tamper by
Lighter by IM Corona
Pipe, Guitar Pick blending plate, and Coffee by me

The first Wave Grade of 2026. 5 months in the making. Coming to you
04/24/2026

The first Wave Grade of 2026. 5 months in the making. Coming to you

Double Dragon 🐉 🐉
04/23/2026

Double Dragon 🐉 🐉

Volcano time!
04/23/2026

Volcano time!

Last week I posted about the Wolf Prince project that I’d have prepared for Chicago. After working through the weekend,...
04/21/2026

Last week I posted about the Wolf Prince project that I’d have prepared for Chicago. After working through the weekend, I have all three examples of the shape prepared. I have taught my students the value of studying other shapes, and that value remains available to any pipemaker no matter their level of experience. We can always learn by examining, studying, and working with the designs and ideas of others.

Several people asked what changes I might make, if any to the design, and why. First we can talk internals. The maker aimed his airway straight down the narrow shank, which required a pointed, conical chamber to meet it. This is because the bottom of the bowl is only 2.3mm thick. yeah, that’s a problem. The pointed chamber means that the last 1/4 or so of the bowl is utterly unusable—impossible to stay lit. But people often don’t read the pipe well, some will persist in lighting until they inevitably burn out. I altered this by aiming the airway upward giving me a heel thickness of 5.5-7mm in these pipes. Thin? Yes. Dangerous? Not too. More importantly, it allowed me to round the bottom of the chamber to make the whole bowl useable.

The original design had a constricted airway by my standards, but it still performed well. I opened the airway in mine a little larger, but narrower than normal for my work giving it a good airflow with a comfortable resistance to the draw.

The shape of the bowl in my work is also more akin to my own aesthetic, drawing the apex of the bowl’s curve and the visual weight of the shape downward. This, to my eye, is more pleasing—but that’s simply a matter of taste. You’ll also see variations in the proportions to explore its range.

Finally, the design of the mouthpiece. I maintained the orific airway (round, without a slot) but widened the mouthpiece slightly to distribute the weight and make the pipe even more comfortable to keep upright. Furthermore, it helps the necessarily thicker bite feel more thin since the curve has a wider diameter. And finally, I refined the face of the button to make it smoother and less enticing for the tongue to fiddle with in use.

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San Diego, CA

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