Craft Piper: Tell us a little about yourself…
Efthymiou: I am the “Colossus”from the island of Helios, Rhodes and I am a father of two.
My hobbies are cooking and carving.
Q: What got you interested in the pipe making hobby?
A: Seven years ago a friend of mine brought me his grandfather’s pipe in order to repeat it. At the time I had never laid eyes on a pipe before. Fearful that I may damage it I decided to make my very first in order to understand how it works. After that I was hooked.
Q: How long have you been making pipes?
A: At the 20th of January I’m closing seven years in pipe making. I still believe myself as a pipe maker. I’m a PipeTroll maker.
Q: Do you have a favorite shape or “style” that you really enjoy making?
A: I love Freehand pipes in general and the only classical shape that I adore are Pokers always with a touch of freehand.
Q: Where did you learn to make pipes? Did you have a mentor? Youtube, Google, etc.?
A: I was a woodchucker so with the help of YouTube and with my visit at the “temple” of the legendary Peter Heinrichs I was ready to understand how to build a pipe.
Q: Assuming you smoke a pipe..what is your favorite pipe(s) to smoke? Why?
A: Of course mine. But I have a soft spot for Petersons and Stanwells.
Q: Favorite type of briar/cobb to use? Why?
A: I love to work with Hellenic Briar because it’s the tasteful and the Italian Briar cause it’s the most aesthetic. Of let’s not forget that I owe everything to the queen Olive because with her I experimented and learn and in my humble opinion it’s the best wood to smoke.
Q: How did you get into pipe smoking?
A: My very first pipe to smoke was my very first creation
Q: What investment(s), if any, have you made in equipment, materials, etc.
A: I have invested more than investing in a new car for myself but I enjoy it so much that I don’t consider it.
Q: What are your favorite tobaccos at the moment? Which brands, blends?
A: I enjoy anything that has to do with English and Balkan blends.
Q: What’s the most frustrating thing about making a pipe?
A: The most frustrating thing about pipe making is when you are close to finishing a project only to realise that your wood has sand pits or cracks.
Q: Has there been another pipe maker that influenced you? Who, why?
A: From the beginning I was influenced by the German modern school…
Roger Wallenstein, Uwe Mayer, Steffen Mueller and the Cristian Wolfsteiner. Of course let’s not forget the great Paolo Becker.
Q: Do you have any particular ritual when you’re working? Music, bourbon..TV??
A: Without music, beer and without good company nothing works. Of course I would have to mention that without the material and mental support of my dear friend Captain Antonios Foteinos I would never reach these heights.
Q: How do you market your pipes? Social media, pipe shows, friends, etc.?
A: Friends and social media mostly. But I the intention to attend pipe shows also in the near future
Q: What are your future plans for the pipe making hobby? Get big? Just a hobby?
A: I already think of myself always in a good manner big enough.
Whatever will be will be.
Q: What do you want us to know that we havent asked?
A: I operate in a Spartan way and I believe that it shows in the manner I speak, work and create.
