Paul Becker Pipes

Birth and Early Years

In January 1947, Paul Becker was born in Pinneberg, Germany, where his parents ran a respected tobacconist shop. After finishing school, he completed two years at a trade school in Hamburg and an apprenticeship as a merchant before joining the family business.

Passion for Pipes

At the age of 16, he discovered his passion for pipe smoking and dreamed of one day making his own pipes on a North Frisian island. Many renowned Danish pipe makers served as his inspiration.

Taking Over the Family Business

However, as is often the case in life, dreams are not immediately realised. In 1970, he and his wife Erika took over his parents' business after they had to give it up due to health reasons.

Setting Up the Workshop

In 1982, he set up a workshop in the basement of their house to provide customers in Pinneberg with a quick and high-quality repair service for pipe mouthpieces and minor repairs. Previously, this space had served as a darkroom for his hobby photography.

Support from Rainer Barbi

The legendary pipe maker Rainer Barbi provided substantial support in equipping the workshop and advised him not only to carry out repairs but also to produce his own pipes. With Barbi’s guidance and support, he was able to acquire the necessary knowledge. Rainer Barbi's workshop was conveniently located nearby, also in Schleswig-Holstein.

First Own Pipe Production

Soon, Paul Becker proudly held his first self-made "freehand" pipe and was delighted to smoke it. Some customers from Pinneberg saw his pipe and wanted a handmade pipe from him as well. Thus, he began producing pipes and sold them in their shop for eight years, with growing success.

The Step to Independence

In 1990, the Beckers decided to close the shop so that he could fully devote himself to pipe making. This allowed Paul Becker to realise his dream, and he became a freelance pipe maker, inspired by his Danish role models.

The "Paulpipes" Brand

His work is characterised by creativity and precise craftsmanship. More and more renowned tobacconists in Germany became his customers. The variety of forms, the beautiful grain of the wood, and the exact workmanship with attention to detail were convincing. The best plateaux are equipped with hand-cut mouthpieces.

Product Range and Manufacturing

To avoid confusion, he has been operating under the name "Paulpipes" for some time, as there are several "Beckers" in the pipe world, both domestically and internationally. There are three finishes of "Paulpipes": natural, orange-brown, and warm chestnut brown, all polished with carnauba wax - no varnish!

Handmade Pipes

Each pipe is personally handcrafted by him, from drilling to sanding, staining and polishing, the application of the breaking-in paste on the pipe bowls, and the hand-cut mouthpiece.

Quality and Uniqueness

His pipes are free from fillers and may have small wood imperfections that do not affect the smoking pleasure but only the price. Since briar wood is a natural product, no two pipes are identical. Spot-free pipes are therefore rare and high-priced.

Special Developments

One of his specialities, developed 20 years ago, is the pipe with a removable middle section in the shank, which can be smoked as a churchwarden or as a regular pipe. This pipe form enjoys great popularity, and Paul Becker is considered somewhat of a "rediscoverer" of the Chruchwarden pipe.

Customer Contact and Distribution

Many customers have met him personally at pipe shows and have been able to watch him at work. "Paulpipes" are available in Germany, Austria, and Asia through selected specialist dealers.

Annual Production and Quality Standards

Each year, he produces about 250 pipes. He makes both filtered and unfiltered pipes. Each filtered pipe has a precisely fitted, removable adapter, allowing it to be smoked without a filter. This adapter is individually made for each pipe and is not comparable to the simple reducers available in the trade. Due to the many necessary steps, he reaches his capacity limit with around 250 pipes per year, as authenticity and quality are his top priorities.