James 'JT' Cooke was professionally trained as a commercial artist at the Rhode Island School of design, but transitioned into the life of a full time pipe maker some 30 plus years ago. In the 1980's Jim began to repair and restore high grade pipes, which allowed him the opportunity to study the characteristics and quality achieved by master pipe makers. He also learned the differences between good pipes, and great pipes, and has been able to capitalize on this experience in the design and implementation of his own pipes.
He is World renowned for his beautiful deep, and very unique sandblasts. He has developed a technique using three separate blasting procedures to bring out and emphasize each block's own unique characteristics. He makes his own stems from liquid Lucite, which he tints himself and casts into rods. Jim has also developed a two part bowl coating.
West Coast Pipe Show (WCPS): Are you aware of any differences between American Pipe Culture and European or Asian Pipe Culture?
James Cooke (JC): I havent noticed any major differences in culture, probably due to my thick skull. I am sure there are differences and large differences in fact, unfortunately I am not tuned into it yet. I don’t have enough customers over there to know whats going on. I do think the rest of the world may like pipes that are smaller than what we like here in the US. They smoke a little more like the way I used to smoke pot in the 60’s. They don’t fill the bowl up too much.
WCPS: Do you personally do anything different different to your pipes when you work for different cultures?
JC: Not Europe specifically but Asia. I was very surprised when the only time I went to Japan, I took a wide selection of pipes with me. After all of them got sold, I pulled out a pipe which had a new finish that I was working on. A blasted pipe but it looks like weathered barn board. I pulled it out and I thought these guys were gonna leap across the table and swallow me whole. To my surprise, they fell in love with it. I ended up taking orders and making another batch for all these people in Japan. In the US, some people liked it some hated it. I am not going to show that pipe finish anymore because I am not fully happy with it. Once I perfect and nail it down to where I like it, I will show it then.
WCPS: How long does it take you to finish up 1 pipe? How many do you make in a year?
JC: In a good week I can make 2 pieces. That’s working 10 hours a day & 6 days a week. At best I am making 100 pipes a year. WCPS: I hear you have a long waiting list. Whats it at right now? JC: I have a 3 year waiting list right now. It seems long but you need to understand that I pay full attention to the next pipe I am making. I give it the same amount of effort as each pipe on that list. My work takes time.
WCPS: How many pipes are you bringing to the West Coast Pipe Show?
JC: I’m bringing two dozen pipes to the show. I have several customers out there and people that are looking for my pipes. Some pipes that I have made specifically because nobody has asked for those shapes. I want to make sure when the show opens and the guys walk in, there are pieces on the table that are for sale.
WCPS: How do you feel about the current tobacco legislation being enacted all around the world? How does it make you feel & what, if anything, do you think we should do to fight it?
JC: Its almost like we are closing the door after the horse has left the barn. At best it’s a holding pattern. We are on the 5 yard line and they got their first team in. A certain amount of toughening up is needed. If I hear one more guy saying that his wife wont let him smoke in the house, my brain is going to boil. Its fine to be sensitive but its not fine to become a pussy. There is far too much of that in this world. I have to be real about who I am and stake my own claim and stop understanding these other people. If a smoker really gets satisfaction from enjoying my pipe….you know, I know Rick Newcombe has a couple of my pieces and I hope that helps him enjoy his day and be more determined and to go out and do his thing. The Nannies in this country have really taken over. Like the crabby old aunt who points her finger and waves it in my eye and doesn’t want that nasty smell in the house. Second hand smoke is a fraud. Something that the public has come to believe. It is bogus science. There was a very famous gentleman in the middle of the 20th century who said: “If your gonna tell a lie, tell a really big one and stick to it.” I think we have been swept up in the anti smoking campaigns without them realizing it. Its not the years in your life, but the life in your years. I got some customers that if they did not have a chance to go out and smoke at the end of the day, their life would be a lot shorter. Heart-attacks would have taken them a long time ago. I know that pipe smoking can have that effect and it really helps people.
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