Holmer Knudsen Freehand Pipes

Holmer Knudsen ist part of the Pipe-scene for many years.

But his living-lines weren't ment to become a pipemaker one day. Holmer Kundsen (his name shows danish ancestory) once was a process engineer. He was employed in a large factory that processed vegetable substances. As his employer terminated him for operational reasons, he really had to think about how he should move ahead. A good friend of him told him that there is a company in North German Lauenburg that is looking for someone to repair pipes.

The rest is history. Holmer learnt quickly, and he learnt much. It didn't take long and he build his first own pipes. As a pipemaker near Flensburg retired, he took his chance and bought all the equipment and machinery. From one day to another, he had his house full of machines...

That one thing, that had the biggest influence on him was a cooperation with the legendary Rainer Barbi, that sadly passed away in 2016, and once was truely Germany's most popular and most successfull pipemaker. Here, Holmer saw all the bits and tricks that makes the difference from a smoking instrument to a piece of art.

Collaboration and learning with other pipemakers is a topic that followed him for many years. He has a friendship to Hans "Former" Nielsen, that is far more than only working together on pipes. They share a booth on the Intertabac fair in Dortmund year by year, and Holmer has to see every time that Former's pipes are sold within five minutes. Holmer's pipes take longer to sell, but they are just as well crafted.

There are two "Holmers" that making pipes. One - that is striving for perfection, the best grain, the smoothest surface, the perfect mouthpiece, flawless wood. And the other Holmer knows about economic necessities. So he has all the machines to build serial pipes. And he has done it thousand times for purchasing associations, Retailers and bigger Pipebrands. You may already own a Holmer Knudsen without knowing it.

His workshop is quaintly alongside the river Elbe, in the same building of a small tobacco manufacturer that once was a malt storage house.

Most of his pipes are sold in China and Japan - only some in Germany and other countries. His customers in China claiming that he should stamp it "Made in Germany". But he states that "H Knudsen Handarbeit" must be enough.

Excellent Briar is purchased from the mediterranean area, and his pipes are available with ebonite - or acrylic mouthpieces. He makes Pipes with and without filter. Sandblasting can be done in his own cabinet which makes him quite independent. All operations can be done in his own workshop.

Holmer's work is hard to characterise. His "Half serial pipes" are orientated towards classical shapes, often quite stubby or big. They are made to be an absolute reliable smoking tool. His Freehands are often the opposite. They are hamonical, round, sometimes fragile and elegant. Wonderful grains, perfectly made. Real "High Grades". His andvantage is, he has pipes for every wallet.