Tom Eltang is, along with Sixten Ivarsson, certainly the most important pipe maker in the world. He has influenced many other pipe makers, inspired many to make pipes and designed numerous pipe models for Stanwell and Chacom.

He set out on the path to becoming a pipe maker at a very early age. At the tender age of eleven, he made his very first pipes from pre-drilled scantlings, which he bought in the then legendary "Pipe Dan" shop. He came into contact with a social worker who made pipes himself and arranged a two-week internship for him at the Larsen pipe factory. Here he realised that the efficiency and high volume production methods were not for him, and at the age of sixteen he turned to Anne Julie, a legendary pipe maker at the time.

Anne Julie

He showed her some of his homemade pipes and gained recognition. From her he learned a lot about harmonious and balanced shaping. And it was also here that he learned about the "Golden Contrast" staining that was later to become so characteristic of his pipes. He worked with Anne Julie for three years before becoming a pipe repairer at Pipe Dan. Here he learned a lot about how best to construct pipes - or better not.

Stanwell

After another three years at Pipe Dan, he started working at the Stanwell pipe factory in Borup, which often sent him on tours of German specialist shops in the 1980s to show how Freehand pipes were made and to advertise the Stanwell brand. This made him well known and popular among pipe smokers and specialist retailers alike. In the 1990s, he devoted himself to carpentry and woodwork in many Danish embassies around the world for a secure income.

The 90s

At the end of the 90s, he returned to the pipe business, and acquired lathes to make his cheaper "Sara Eltang" series - named after his daughter. These were a great success from the start, and almost as much in demand as his Freehands. In the early 2000s, he unfortunately had to abandon his coveted "Golden Contrast" finish, as the stains used violated safety regulations under new legislation.

Today

He became the co-owner of a large, renowned pipe shop in Copenhagen and from then on he concentrated more on the further development of his shapes and finishes. His most famous shapes are probably the "Eltang Poker", the Eskimo shape, his Bent in heart shape and his dainty Dublins. He has also developed a very grippy rustication that is typical for him, but he also sandblasts a lot. His seven-day sets are probably among the most precious creations in the history of pipes. He is also probably the only known pipe maker to have decorated pipes with a hand-applied gold leaf surface.

Lately, he has been paying more attention to his inexpensive "Sara Eltang" line again, which are made in his workshop in Copenhagen together with his apprentices Johannes Rasmussen and Mike Bay (themselves already well-known pipe makers).