Welcome to my website!!!
I am Braam du Plessis. I was born in 1978 in a small town in the Eastern sub-tropical part of South Africa called Barberton. I've always enjoyed working with my hands. After school I studied Financial Management at the North West University in Potchefstroom where I still reside today.
A couple of years ago a friend of mine approached me to join his business as a property manager and that is what I’m still doing today. Thus I am only a part time carver working on weekends and evenings. I try to carve at least one pipe a week.
In 2009 I bought my first pipe, a Lorenzo with a 9mm filter. One day while studying the pipe I decided that I should be able to make my own pipe. I promptly fashioned my first pipe from a peach tree branch from my garden. The ugliest, most crooked pipe emerged! But, it smoked very nicely and that is where my passion for pipe making was born.
In 2010 I contacted Mr Jean Christoff du Toit from the famous Pietenpauw brand. Jean and I got along like a house on fire from the get go and he graciously took me under his wing as apprentice. Everything I know about pipe carving I learned from him. From drawing and planning a pipe to where to order the best Briar and stem material.
I truly enjoy carving pipes as the Briar is such an inspirational medium to work with! You never know exactly how a pipe will look until you start working on the Briar. I often find that the character of the wood guides one to help the form that is covered by years of struggling growth to emerge and that, is a wonderful fulfilling experience that I just cannot get enough of!!
I am Braam du Plessis. I was born in 1978 in a small town in the Eastern sub-tropical part of South Africa called Barberton. I've always enjoyed working with my hands. After school I studied Financial Management at the North West University in Potchefstroom where I still reside today.
A couple of years ago a friend of mine approached me to join his business as a property manager and that is what I’m still doing today. Thus I am only a part time carver working on weekends and evenings. I try to carve at least one pipe a week.
In 2009 I bought my first pipe, a Lorenzo with a 9mm filter. One day while studying the pipe I decided that I should be able to make my own pipe. I promptly fashioned my first pipe from a peach tree branch from my garden. The ugliest, most crooked pipe emerged! But, it smoked very nicely and that is where my passion for pipe making was born.
In 2010 I contacted Mr Jean Christoff du Toit from the famous Pietenpauw brand. Jean and I got along like a house on fire from the get go and he graciously took me under his wing as apprentice. Everything I know about pipe carving I learned from him. From drawing and planning a pipe to where to order the best Briar and stem material.
I truly enjoy carving pipes as the Briar is such an inspirational medium to work with! You never know exactly how a pipe will look until you start working on the Briar. I often find that the character of the wood guides one to help the form that is covered by years of struggling growth to emerge and that, is a wonderful fulfilling experience that I just cannot get enough of!!