Latest News About AnImA Pipes

July 2006
Extremely busy with custom orders & repairs!
New pipes will be out soon though!

Anima introduces 2 NEW Pipes that are now
part of a regular series of Standard Shapes.
Sorry - these 2 have already been sold. But since they are standard shapes
you can get one soon, or order yours NOW!
pipes@animapipes.com

When you are in the L.A. area, please visit:
Tobacco Trader
4722 1/4 Admiralty Way
Marina del Rey, CA
Phone: 310-823-5831

2-4-04
Anima releases new line of extremely rare pipes...
The (NS) Nature Series. Click here for more info.

1-24-04

Anima Pipes will now be offering expert pipe repair and refurbishment services. Specializing in bit work, re-tenons, dent and scratch removal, and cleaning. Pipe cleaning consists of reaming of the bowl (if necessary) cleaning mortoise, tenon, and draft hole with "alcohol bath treatment" buffing and waxing. This will restore your pipe to an "as new" condition and ensure a clean dry smoke for many years to come. Repair and cleaning services on Anima pipes at discounted rate; all other pipe brands will be charged at regular rate. PLease see REPAIR page for details.

Thank you and happy puffing,

Brian McNulty

Please scroll to bottom of this page to see Cigar and cigarette holders.

09-01-02
THE INNERVIEW

Many call me an expert in my field. I'm not so sure this is the case, however, I have been the resident pipe expert at the Original Tinder Box in Santa Monica, California for the better part of a decade. In my time working in retail tobacco shops I have seen quite a few individuals who have started making pipes as a hobby, or as a way to increase their smoking pleasure. However, in my experience it is rare that many of these "hobby carvers" make more than one or two pipes. Brian McNulty is the exception. With a drive and desire to make quality pipes which are both pleasing to the eye, and a pleasure to smoke, I believe that Brian is an American carver who bears watching and his line of pipes, ANIMA, are definately the work of artisan hands.

Brian McNulty lives in the Los Angeles area. A geographic region not generally associated with pipe making. Brian, however, is in many ways an exception to our day-to-day expectations of people and places. While he lives in the Entertainment Capital of the World, he, unlike many people his age, is not trying to write the next great screen play, or pitch the next successful television show. Rather, he is a pipe maker; an artisan trying to re-capture some of the sensibilities and honesty of things made by hand.

During my interview with him, held in his workshop (once the detached garage of his house), Brian glowed with excitement and enthusiasm about pipes in general, and especially the care and dedication required to make a pipe with superior visual, tactile and smoking characteristics.

- Aaron Licker

How did you start smoking a pipe?

To be honest, I started smoking pipes as an escape from the daily grind and as a reliever from the stress at my job at the time. All though my father and grandfather before him were pipe smokers also, I guess it's in the blood.

What got you interested in making pipes?

The sheer aesthetic and natural beauty of them. There is a certain quality to a pipe in that it is such a simple thing, yet so beautiful, comforting and functional all at the same time. I have a real appreciation for them and the work that goes into making a nice looking and fine smoking pipe. My father was an engineer for Hughes and was always working around the house on projects, many of them wood. He never made pipes, but I can say I learned a lot from watching him work.

How did your first pipe turn out?

It turned out better than I expected. It was a smooth, freehand copy of a pipe I saw in Pipes and Tobaccos magazine that I really liked but could not afford at the time. So I decided to try to make a copy of it myself with a kit. I have been hooked ever since constantly trying to better my craft.

Do you make pipes full time, or is this more of a hobby for you?

It started as a hobby and love for pipes as I am sure it does for most people. Now, it has turned into a full time thing for me. I hope it stays that way as I enjoy it so much. I am sure most people do not realize how much time, money and effort it takes to make a pipe. Once you make a few, you have so much more appreciation for them and you can see how higher priced pipes of magnificent grain and shape can demand the prices they do.

Are there any particular makers who you feel have influenced your style?

Yes, I am very fond of the Italian carvers such as Castello and Radice. I love their lines, and I try to draw a lot of inspiration from them. Other carvers who have been instrumental in helping me on my way are Maurizio Tombari (Le Nuvole), and a couple of local American carvers in the area where I live. The great Paul Perri and Ken Ericsson. These three men have been instrumental in helping me along the way, besides providing invaluable information; they are just great human beings in general. (Sadly, since this interview, Ken Ericsson has passed away. Thank you Ken, you will be missed)

What does the name of your brand "Anima" mean?

Well, I felt that my last name was not easy enough to remember for a pipe brand name, so I asked an acquaintance of mine if he could help me think of a name that was not only easy to remember, but also that reflected some of my ideas and beliefs and kind of how they relate to pipe making. He actually came up with the name "Anima". I get teased about it quite often as it sounds like a medical procedure that most do not look forward to, but if you take the time to look up it's meaning, you will find that it comes from the Latin meaning "soul" or "spirit". A more in depth meaning would be, "the breath of God." This is visible every time you puff a pipe.

Why did that name have such importance for you?

I find pipe smoking, either for pleasure or ceremonially; to be a ritual that makes one introspective. It is a connection with spirit and the natural world. I believe these things are more important than ever now.

Is that the reason you use some of the unusual materials on your pipes?

Partially. I try to use as many organic materials as I can, such as antler, and stone or other woods wherever possible. I believe that they too have a spirit that seems to gel well with the briar not only in look but feel as well.

What type of briar do you use?

Until recently, I used primarily Calabrian Briar, which I imported myself. Thanks to a good friend of mine, I have recently switched to Spanish, and some Moroccan. I am finding the Spanish Briar to smoke and taste the best. It also has very few pits or checks if any at all, they are small. I have worked with almost all the different types of briar, but I like the Spanish the best. I find it a good happy medium for all of Briars' best attributes. Occasionally, I am priviledged to acquire some extremely rare blocks of 50-100 year old air cured briar that did in fact belong to the Charatan factory in the 1950's.

About how long does it take to make a pipe from start to finish?

I get asked this a lot. It really depends on what you set out to try and accomplish. Often times the wood dictates this. Also, certain shapes and other "extras" such as bit extensions, etc. are a factor in the amount of time I spend on one pipe. I find that the shortest amount of time is usually around 5-6 hours and the longest being a few days.

Why is it so important to you that you do so much of the work on your pipes by hand?

In our modern world, there are becoming fewer and fewer things done this way, by hand. So many makers use a lot of machinery to shape their pipes, no love or personal one-on-one attention. Everybody seems to be in such a hurry and they are really not going anywhere. I like Carlo Scotti's answer to this. "I run a craftsman's shop, not a factory, my pipes are works of art, fruit of expert hands, heart and fantasy"

How do you grade your pipes?

Currently, I have a very simple grading system. My pipes are stamped with name "anima", the month and year the pipe was made and my logo, the circle with the cross inside. My rusticated pipes would be considered the "Lowest grade", but I do not like to think of them that way. They will still smoke just as good as anything, but they had surface flaws that are not generally appealing to most. Then come my sandblasts, which I do myself and am still, and have a feeling I will always be, searching for that "perfect" blast. Of my smooth pipes, I only have 4 grades. I use a circled-cross as a grade indicator, one being the lowest and four being the highest. This is based on grain. As of 2003, the pipes will also show a wood designation: "S" will be stamped on pipes made from Spanish briar, "M" for Moroccan, "C" for Calabrian(which I will be using less of) and the very rare Charatan wood gets the designation of "E.K." to honor my supplier of this magnificent wood. (This information has changed as of 5-25-03)

What has been the highest-grade pipe you have made so far?

I have made quite a few grade threes, but I have yet to make a four. (Since the time this interview was taken, ac ouple of grade "4" pipes have been created)(This information has changed as of 5-25-03)

Where have you been selling your pipes?

Currently, they are available via my web site or exclusively at the Original Tinder Box (Ed's Pipe Shop) in Santa Monica, CA. I am also planning on attending more and more pipes shows next year. This past year, I attended the Los Angeles pipe show where I had the pleasure of meeting Dayton Matlick (the creator of Pipes and Tobaccos Magazine) who encouraged me to keep doing what I am doing. I like to hear these things coming from influential people it motivates me.(This information has changed as of 5-25-03)

What have people's reactions to your pipes been?

Thankfully, very positive. I have several people who come in each week to the Tinder Box looking for my newest creations. And I have had a couple of people tell me that my pipes have become their favorite. More and more seem to be selling weekly - it's hard to keep up. I cannot tell you how good that makes me feel. There are so many carvers around, and so many who are so extremely talented, this humbles me. The support I receive is so great - I am very grateful.

Now, you also make tampers. How did you get started making them?

Yes, I make handmade tampers as well, that have seemed to "take off". I was actually known by my tampers first before the pipes. They originated as a by-product of the extra wood I had left over from making pipes. I thought it was such a waste and decided to put the wood to use. Now my deer antler tampers have become quite popular. I really just wanted to see a more unique, natural tamper that was one-of-a-kind and personal instead of the usual metal pipe nails and such. I also make briar tampers to match people's pipes. They will send me a picture of one of their favorite pipes, and I will make a tamper to match it.

What would you like to see happen with your pipe making?

Really, I would just like to see it continue to progress. I enjoy making them so much, but I get even more satisfaction when I see someone smoking one with that look of complete tranquility, peace and contentment. The more people I see smoking one of my pipes with that relaxed look on their face, the more happier I become and that motivates me to keep wanting to do more!

For more information on Anima pipes or tampers please feel free to contact him at:

Anima Handmade Pipes
5344 Etheldo Ave
Culver City, CA 90230
(310) 748-1249

Or Online at:
www.animapipes.com
Email: pipes@animapipes.com

Now also available are custom briar or bamboo cheroot, cigarette and
cigar holders in all ring guages up to "54". These are commission
pieces done on an individual basis. Email for Info

July 2006 Extremely busy with custom orders & repairs! New pipes will be out soon though! Anima introduces 2 NEW Pipes that are now part of a regular series of Standard Shapes. Sorry - these 2 have already been sold. But since they are standard shapes you can get one soon, or order yours NOW! pipes@animapipes.com When you are in the L.A. area, please visit: Tobacco Trader 4722 1/4 Admiralty Way Marina del Rey, CA Phone: 310-823-5831 2-4-04 Anima releases new line of extremely rare pipes... The (NS) Nature Series. Click here for more info. 1-24-04 Anima Pipes will now be offering expert pipe repair and refurbishment services. Specializing in bit work, re-tenons, dent and scratch removal, and cleaning. Pipe cleaning consists of reaming of the bowl (if necessary) cleaning mortoise, tenon, and draft hole with "alcohol bath treatment" buffing and waxing. This will restore your pipe to an "as new" condition and ensure a clean dry smoke for many years to come. Repair and cleaning services on Anima pipes at discounted rate; all other pipe brands will be charged at regular rate. PLease see REPAIR page for details. Thank you and happy puffing, Brian McNulty Please scroll to bottom of this page to see Cigar and cigarette holders.
09-01-02 THE INNERVIEW Many call me an expert in my field. I'm not so sure this is the case, however, I have been the resident pipe expert at the Original Tinder Box in Santa Monica, California for the better part of a decade. In my time working in retail tobacco shops I have seen quite a few individuals who have started making pipes as a hobby, or as a way to increase their smoking pleasure. However, in my experience it is rare that many of these "hobby carvers" make more than one or two pipes. Brian McNulty is the exception. With a drive and desire to make quality pipes which are both pleasing to the eye, and a pleasure to smoke, I believe that Brian is an American carver who bears watching and his line of pipes, ANIMA, are definately the work of artisan hands. Brian McNulty lives in the Los Angeles area. A geographic region not generally associated with pipe making. Brian, however, is in many ways an exception to our day-to-day expectations of people and places. While he lives in the Entertainment Capital of the World, he, unlike many people his age, is not trying to write the next great screen play, or pitch the next successful television show. Rather, he is a pipe maker; an artisan trying to re-capture some of the sensibilities and honesty of things made by hand. During my interview with him, held in his workshop (once the detached garage of his house), Brian glowed with excitement and enthusiasm about pipes in general, and especially the care and dedication required to make a pipe with superior visual, tactile and smoking characteristics. - Aaron Licker How did you start smoking a pipe? To be honest, I started smoking pipes as an escape from the daily grind and as a reliever from the stress at my job at the time. All though my father and grandfather before him were pipe smokers also, I guess it's in the blood. What got you interested in making pipes? The sheer aesthetic and natural beauty of them. There is a certain quality to a pipe in that it is such a simple thing, yet so beautiful, comforting and functional all at the same time. I have a real appreciation for them and the work that goes into making a nice looking and fine smoking pipe. My father was an engineer for Hughes and was always working around the house on projects, many of them wood. He never made pipes, but I can say I learned a lot from watching him work. How did your first pipe turn out? It turned out better than I expected. It was a smooth, freehand copy of a pipe I saw in Pipes and Tobaccos magazine that I really liked but could not afford at the time. So I decided to try to make a copy of it myself with a kit. I have been hooked ever since constantly trying to better my craft. Do you make pipes full time, or is this more of a hobby for you? It started as a hobby and love for pipes as I am sure it does for most people. Now, it has turned into a full time thing for me. I hope it stays that way as I enjoy it so much. I am sure most people do not realize how much time, money and effort it takes to make a pipe. Once you make a few, you have so much more appreciation for them and you can see how higher priced pipes of magnificent grain and shape can demand the prices they do. Are there any particular makers who you feel have influenced your style? Yes, I am very fond of the Italian carvers such as Castello and Radice. I love their lines, and I try to draw a lot of inspiration from them. Other carvers who have been instrumental in helping me on my way are Maurizio Tombari (Le Nuvole), and a couple of local American carvers in the area where I live. The great Paul Perri and Ken Ericsson. These three men have been instrumental in helping me along the way, besides providing invaluable information; they are just great human beings in general. (Sadly, since this interview, Ken Ericsson has passed away. Thank you Ken, you will be missed) What does the name of your brand "Anima" mean? Well, I felt that my last name was not easy enough to remember for a pipe brand name, so I asked an acquaintance of mine if he could help me think of a name that was not only easy to remember, but also that reflected some of my ideas and beliefs and kind of how they relate to pipe making. He actually came up with the name "Anima". I get teased about it quite often as it sounds like a medical procedure that most do not look forward to, but if you take the time to look up it's meaning, you will find that it comes from the Latin meaning "soul" or "spirit". A more in depth meaning would be, "the breath of God." This is visible every time you puff a pipe. Why did that name have such importance for you? I find pipe smoking, either for pleasure or ceremonially; to be a ritual that makes one introspective. It is a connection with spirit and the natural world. I believe these things are more important than ever now. Is that the reason you use some of the unusual materials on your pipes? Partially. I try to use as many organic materials as I can, such as antler, and stone or other woods wherever possible. I believe that they too have a spirit that seems to gel well with the briar not only in look but feel as well. What type of briar do you use? Until recently, I used primarily Calabrian Briar, which I imported myself. Thanks to a good friend of mine, I have recently switched to Spanish, and some Moroccan. I am finding the Spanish Briar to smoke and taste the best. It also has very few pits or checks if any at all, they are small. I have worked with almost all the different types of briar, but I like the Spanish the best. I find it a good happy medium for all of Briars' best attributes. Occasionally, I am priviledged to acquire some extremely rare blocks of 50-100 year old air cured briar that did in fact belong to the Charatan factory in the 1950's. About how long does it take to make a pipe from start to finish? I get asked this a lot. It really depends on what you set out to try and accomplish. Often times the wood dictates this. Also, certain shapes and other "extras" such as bit extensions, etc. are a factor in the amount of time I spend on one pipe. I find that the shortest amount of time is usually around 5-6 hours and the longest being a few days. Why is it so important to you that you do so much of the work on your pipes by hand? In our modern world, there are becoming fewer and fewer things done this way, by hand. So many makers use a lot of machinery to shape their pipes, no love or personal one-on-one attention. Everybody seems to be in such a hurry and they are really not going anywhere. I like Carlo Scotti's answer to this. "I run a craftsman's shop, not a factory, my pipes are works of art, fruit of expert hands, heart and fantasy" How do you grade your pipes? Currently, I have a very simple grading system. My pipes are stamped with name "anima", the month and year the pipe was made and my logo, the circle with the cross inside. My rusticated pipes would be considered the "Lowest grade", but I do not like to think of them that way. They will still smoke just as good as anything, but they had surface flaws that are not generally appealing to most. Then come my sandblasts, which I do myself and am still, and have a feeling I will always be, searching for that "perfect" blast. Of my smooth pipes, I only have 4 grades. I use a circled-cross as a grade indicator, one being the lowest and four being the highest. This is based on grain. As of 2003, the pipes will also show a wood designation: "S" will be stamped on pipes made from Spanish briar, "M" for Moroccan, "C" for Calabrian(which I will be using less of) and the very rare Charatan wood gets the designation of "E.K." to honor my supplier of this magnificent wood. (This information has changed as of 5-25-03) What has been the highest-grade pipe you have made so far? I have made quite a few grade threes, but I have yet to make a four. (Since the time this interview was taken, ac ouple of grade "4" pipes have been created)(This information has changed as of 5-25-03) Where have you been selling your pipes? Currently, they are available via my web site or exclusively at the Original Tinder Box (Ed's Pipe Shop) in Santa Monica, CA. I am also planning on attending more and more pipes shows next year. This past year, I attended the Los Angeles pipe show where I had the pleasure of meeting Dayton Matlick (the creator of Pipes and Tobaccos Magazine) who encouraged me to keep doing what I am doing. I like to hear these things coming from influential people it motivates me.(This information has changed as of 5-25-03) What have people's reactions to your pipes been? Thankfully, very positive. I have several people who come in each week to the Tinder Box looking for my newest creations. And I have had a couple of people tell me that my pipes have become their favorite. More and more seem to be selling weekly - it's hard to keep up. I cannot tell you how good that makes me feel. There are so many carvers around, and so many who are so extremely talented, this humbles me. The support I receive is so great - I am very grateful. Now, you also make tampers. How did you get started making them? Yes, I make handmade tampers as well, that have seemed to "take off". I was actually known by my tampers first before the pipes. They originated as a by-product of the extra wood I had left over from making pipes. I thought it was such a waste and decided to put the wood to use. Now my deer antler tampers have become quite popular. I really just wanted to see a more unique, natural tamper that was one-of-a-kind and personal instead of the usual metal pipe nails and such. I also make briar tampers to match people's pipes. They will send me a picture of one of their favorite pipes, and I will make a tamper to match it. What would you like to see happen with your pipe making? Really, I would just like to see it continue to progress. I enjoy making them so much, but I get even more satisfaction when I see someone smoking one with that look of complete tranquility, peace and contentment. The more people I see smoking one of my pipes with that relaxed look on their face, the more happier I become and that motivates me to keep wanting to do more! For more information on Anima pipes or tampers please feel free to contact him at: Anima Handmade Pipes 5344 Etheldo Ave Culver City, CA 90230 (310) 748-1249 Or Online at: www.animapipes.com Email: pipes@animapipes.com
Now also available are custom briar or bamboo cheroot, cigarette and cigar holders in all ring guages up to "54". These are commission pieces done on an individual basis. Email for Info