#freehandpipes

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Former Pipes – The Art of Freehand Pipes

Hans Jonny Nielsen, nicknamed "Former," is one of the world’s most renowned and respected pipe makers. He is considered a co-founder of the Danish freehand movement. His pipes are not mass-produced; instead, each is handcrafted and bears his unmistakable signature.

Despite his international reputation, Former remains exceptionally modest. He sees himself not as an artist, but as a craftsman. His freehand pipes are highly sought-after collector’s items worldwide.

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Erik Nielsen

Erik Nielsen is a Danish pipe maker who has made a name for himself with his handmade, high-quality tobacco pipes. Like many Danish pipe makers, he follows the Scandinavian style, which emphasizes organic shapes, curved lines, and a high degree of craftsmanship and precision.

Nielsen began his career at a time when Denmark was considered the center for high-quality pipes. Many well-known Danish pipe makers, such as Poul Winslow and Tom Eltang, also influenced his work. Erik Nielsen is known for his keen sense of wood grain and proportions. He produces both classic and freehand shapes.

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Tom Eltang – Master of Danish Freehand Pipes

Tom Eltang is one of Denmark’s most important pipe makers – a name synonymous with perfection, style, and a passion for craftsmanship. At the age of sixteen, he began his training with Anne Julie, an icon of Danish pipe art, and developed an early appreciation for form, function, and aesthetics.

Eltang’s pipes embody the essence of the Danish freehand tradition: each one is individually shaped according to the grain of the briar wood – no two are alike. His designs are organic and flowing, yet precise and balanced – a harmonious interplay of nature and design.

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Jørgen Nielsen, Category: AA

Jørgen Nielsen is a Danish freehand pipe maker who has been crafting pipes since the 1970s. He belongs to the so-called "second generation" of Danish pipe makers, inspired by masters such as Sixten Ivarsson, Georg Jensen, and others.

Jørgen Nielsen pipes are highly prized by collectors, as they embody the elegance and quality of the Danish pipe-making tradition. Models with an AA classification are especially sought after, as they combine the finest briar wood with outstanding craftsmanship and precision.

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Tom Eltang Freehand

Tom Eltang became interested in the craft of pipe making at an early age. At just 16, he was already working for the pipe company Stanwell, one of Denmark’s best-known manufacturers. There, he learned under experienced masters such as Poul Rasmussen and other greats of Danish design. His pipes are characterized by a unique blend of classic Danish design language and individual creativity.

Tom Eltang’s Freehand pipes are a reflection of his passion and craftsmanship. Anyone who owns a pipe from this series is not merely holding a utilitarian object, but a genuine work of art – made by one of the great masters of his trade.