CO Pipes from Hamm: Rising to an International Brand
Kelvin Pohler and Thorsten “Toto” Klemme, the minds behind CO, have been well-known among pipe smokers in Germany and beyond for quite some time. They’ve made a name for themselves, and it’s been through nothing less than hard work and years of dedication.
The two began building pipes individually, just “for themselves,” until they met in the early 2000s and decided to collaborate. While pipe-making remains a side business for them, their workshop, located on a picturesque estate in Hamm, Westphalia, is nothing short of professional.
Everything Together
It’s worth noting that they truly build every pipe together. There’s no division of labor like, “I’ll make the mouthpiece, you do the pipe bowl.” Every pipe carries the sweat and passion of both Toto and Kelvin.
What sets CO apart from the many hobbyist pipe makers is their uncompromising dedication to quality. Every drilling is precise, every line thoughtfully designed, every transition sharp, and there are no light gaps to be found.
A Nordic Touch: The Distinctive Style of CO Pipes
A closer look at their pipes clearly reveals their inspirations. The “old masters” from Denmark serve as the basis for many of their shapes, even though their signature designs, Swan and Bullet, are highly individual. An expert recently referred to them as “the most Danish pipes outside of Denmark.”
Whether with or without a filter, both options are crafted. However, delicate bamboos or refined billiards with strongly oval shanks can, of course, only be realized without a filter. They’ve even created their own tobaccos in collaboration with Hans Wiedemann from HU Tobacco! Either way, a CO pipe is a wonderful unique piece that radiates the idea that art comes from mastery.
