Kurt Balleby Pipes

Kurt Balleby Hansen (using his mother's maiden name as a pipemaker) began carving pipes in 1983. He studied the art by working with Kai Nielsen and Preben Holm, Danish pipe makers of high regard, who also lived in Kolding, Denmark. Six years later, in 1989, Balleby invested in his own machines and organized his workshop in the basement of his home.

Balleby Pipes are carved from specially selected Corsican briar blocks seasoned for five years. Balleby uses only plateau blocks with fine straight grain or exquisite cross grains. Balleby's ambition is to earn the recognition as one of the world's best pipe carvers. He spends a considerable amount of time on each pipe thus limiting his production to 200 to 250 pipes per year.

Each Balleby Pipe passes through approximately 150 detailed production steps. Balleby prefers the classical forms in the finest Danish tradition. For him the pipe is a man´s jewel and each pipe has to suit the owner in size and form. Over the past three to four years, Balleby Pipes earned a reputation as some of the finest pipes in the world. This is due in part to his unique artistic interpretations of traditional shapes and his finishing techniques.

Kolding, Denmark is located in a beautiful river valley in southern Jutland. The area was formed during the last Ice Age. With its picturesque scenery and stimulating climate, Balleby enjoys taking long walks and riding his bicycle through his valley. This gives him the freedom for inspiration and peace. Balleby has lived his whole life in Kolding. His father, Jens Villy Hansen, was a potato dealer at the local market. His mother, Alice Balleby Hansen, was a social worker in her active working life. Balleby honors his mother by using her maiden name for his pipes. Balleby lives with his wife Else and their two daughters Anne and Tine in an old house in Kolding.

Today, Balleby is recognized as one of the top pipe carvers in the world. In the November 1999 issue of the German magazine, Deutsche Tabak Zeitung, Balleby is called "the virtuous from Denmark".

All Balleby Pipe mouthpieces have a 14 carat gold inlay profile of a diamond as his signature mark.

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Kurt Balleby Pipe SKU: BALLEBYBL16 Country of Origin Denmark Finish Smooth Shape Brandy Stem Vulcanite Material Briar Filter Dunhill Group Size 4 Length 5.1 inches Bowl Height 1.8 inches Quick Specs View MSRP: $2,750.00 Your Price: $2,200.00

Kurt Balleby Pipe SKU: BALLEBYBL15 Country of Origin Denmark Finish Smooth Shape Brandy Stem Vulcanite Material Briar Filter Dunhill Group Size 4 Length 5.5 inches Bowl Height 1.9 inches Quick Specs View MSRP: $2,750.00 Your Price: $2,200.00 SOLD