While I will occasionally make a pipe from exotic wood such as olive or osage orange, most are made from briar.  Briar, first used in pipe making at least 350 years ago, is the root burl of a White Heath, a tree that grows in the arid regions of the Mediterranean.  Each burl is dug by hand.  The wood is boiled and then air-dried, hopefully for many years.  This process makes the moisture content equal to that of its surroundings, at which point the briar is fully aged.  Pipe smokers and makers alike seek out the briar root not only because of its beautiful design patterns and colors but also because it exhibits a smooth smoke, enduring hardness and lasts forever. 

Each TRG Handcrafted Pipe is made of high quality briar that has been well treated and carefully hand worked to produce a fine smoking instrument.  All pipes shown are cut and shaped by hand, and no putty or other type of fill is ever used.  Stems for TRG Handcrafted Pipes, unless otherwise noted, are hand cut from quality German ebonite, cumberland rod, or first class acrylic. 

Each TRG Handcrafted Pipe provides an open draw and, unless noted, will easily pass a cleaner from button to bowl.  All pipes are naturally finished so that the briar can breathe as nature intended.  Most pipes are fitted with delrin tenons.  Delrin tenons are stronger, more flexible, and allow for easier manipulation of the bit to the pipe.  Please e-mail me with any and all questions.  I love to talk about pipes, tobacco, or pipemaking. 

In my day job, I am an appellate/commercial litigation/insurance coverage attorney (Harvard Law '86) with significant responsibilities and time commitments.  I grew up and lived in Dallas, Texas for most of my life until, in 2003, I began to learn the joys of living in the country.  My wife and I, plus two children, four horses, a donkey, three dogs and a cat, live several miles outside of Waxahachie, Texas (literally, "Buffalo Creek") on a secluded 11 acres (lovingly called the "Rafter G") surrounded by a creek, many trees, and abundant wildlife.  At the Rafter G, my work is more likely to involve a tractor than pushing paper.  We also own a small farm property some 20 miles away (the "Rafter G Too"), which is 17 acres near a little Texas town called Blooming Grove where we raise some high quality coastal hay for our own horses and for sale.

Like many others, I enjoy a good cigar but have found in recent years that I prefer a pipe.  A pipe smoker enjoys a much greater selection of tobacco, a rich history and tradition, and a certain "nonconformist" flair.  When making the transition to pipes, I discovered that hand made pipes from an experienced craftsman are (usually) preferable to machine made, in both beauty and smoking quality.  Then, like many a pipemaker before me, my first thought was "hey, I can do that."  And the rest ... well, let's just say I have learned from the best, given it a good try, made some for myself, and very much enjoy the process.  I am embarking on the present venture primarily to keep myself in briar and tools.  I expect to average only 30 pipes or so a year, but each will be a thing done from pleasure, and made to the best of my ability.
 
Albert Einstein once remarked that pipe smoking contributes to "a somewhat calm and objective judgment in all human affairs."  Today, pipes remain a symbol of leisurely sophistication, and pipe smoking is a restful, relaxing activity that has almost nothing in common with other forms of smoking.  We do not inhale, our tobacco is not loaded with additives, and we are not addicted.  The lengthy rituals enjoyed by brothers of the briar almost compel contemplation -- choosing from a variety of pipes and tobaccos, cleaning and loading the briar, puffing and tamping, then sitting in a fragrant swirl of smoke and thinking large thoughts, or not thinking at all.