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About Walt Cannoy Pipes

Fine Briar Pipes Since 1999

Thank you for taking an interest in my pipes. Here is some general information about the standards and craftsmanship of Cannoy Signature and Cardinal House pipes:

The Cannoy Signature series are my high-grade line of handmade pipes. They represent the best of my abilities in quality, artistry, fit and finish combined. Cardinal House pipes, while still completely handmade, are my “production” line of pipes.

I use briar from a couple of different regions. Briar from one source might be more suitable for highly detailed sandblasts, while briar from another source tends to yield more well grained smooth pipes. Some of my briar is ordered in bulk, while some is hand picked by myself from the cutter. Wherever the origin, all of my briar undergoes a thorough and quite effective curing process including aging of the wood before it is worked, and special processes during the creation of the pipe to help remove and neutralize any excess tannins, acids, and resins that might be left in the briar.

I tend to work on only one pipe at a time, from start to finish, to ensure that each pipe commands my full attention. There have been exceptions to this practice, but only in rare occasions. Each pipe is unique in shape and dimensions. Even the standard shaped pipes that I make are unique, as I do not use templates or predetermined sizes in the creation of the pipe. Each pipe is shaped entirely by hand and measured and proportioned only by my eyes. This is a one-man process. Every step involved in the crafting of both Cannoy Signature and Cardinal House pipes is done solely by me.

Most of my tobacco chambers are tapered toward the bottom. This is sometimes referred to as a conical bowl. In the rare instance that I should  use a more rounded bottom, this will be noted in the description. The tobacco chambers are hand sanded to minimize the risk of burn out due to rough edges inside the bowl.

The smoke hole of a Cannoy pipe is quite open from the bottom of the tobacco chamber to the end of the stem. The end of the tenon and the bottom of the mortise is funneled using special tools to ensure a dry, full flavored smoke. The draught hole must enter the tobacco chamber at the exact bottom center, and each completed pipe must be able to pass a pipe cleaner from the button of the stem to the bottom of the tobacco chamber without requiring disassembly. There might be rare exceptions to this in the case of a full bent or an extreme creation, and this would be noted in the description of the pipe. I take great pride in the fact that every pipe I make is made, above all else, as an instrument designed to deliver a superior smoking experience, regardless of looks.

The pipes are finished with alcohol-based stains to eliminate any possibility of residual flavor or odor from the coloring process. The stains are mixed from basic colors of powdered stain one small batch at a time, until it “looks about right”. The finished pipe is coated with pure carnauba wax, buffed and polished to a shine.

Each pipe is thoroughly inspected, then graded and stamped with the appropriate nomenclature. Only then is it ready for your enjoyment! You’ll be absolutely thrilled with the performance and looks of your new Walt Cannoy precision smoking instrument!