Meet Brentegani

Michele Brentegani’s journey into the world of woodworking began with his grandfather, a true artisan who could create anything by hand in his small workshop. It was in that very workshop, where Michele grew up, that his love for woodworking blossomed. Though his grandfather never crafted a pipe, his influence set the foundation for Michele’s future endeavors.

Throughout his life, Michele built everything from rings to flutes. In 2015, he discovered the fascinating world of pipemaking. What started as a hobby quickly became a passion after a friend introduced him to his first pipe. While the smoking process intrigued him, it was the creation process that truly captivated his heart. Michele knew he wanted to be a part of this intricate craft.

From the outset, Michele was drawn to the elegance of slender and lightweight pipes, and this has become the hallmark of Brentegani Pipes. His love for natural materials is evident in his use of diverse inlays such as amaranth, palm, tagua, olivewood, and many more. In 2019, just months before COVID-19 hit Italy, he decided to turn his hobby into a full-time career. While he primarily works with briar, he also cherishes crafting pipes from olivewood and morta, both of which are abundant in Italy.

In addition to pipemaking, Michele graduated in Traditional Chinese Medicine and massage in 2015. Another significant passion in his life has been the stage; he studied theater for ten years as a child and led a symphonic black metal band, Eternal Samhain, from 2006 to 2018. The band released an EP and a full album with RNC Music and toured Eastern Europe in 2017.

Michele’s approach to pipemaking involves carving the best possible shape out of each briar block, following the natural grains and patterns of the wood. This ensures that every pipe he creates is unique. He strives for excellence in his technique and has learned various methods from some of the greatest Italian pipemakers, including Gabriele Dal Fiume, Davide Iafisco, Max “il Duca” Rimensi, Mimmo Romeo, and Gioacchio Sauro.

In 2020, Michele co-founded the “Accademia della Pipa,” where he continues to refine his craft as both a student and a teacher. Brentegani Pipes are designed to be as slender and lightweight as possible, allowing for a comfortable smoking experience. Michele prefers natural finishes, emphasizing the inherent beauty of the wood over colored pipes.

Pipemaking started as a fun hobby for Michele and has grown into his favorite thing to do every day. He is truly in love with his job. While he hasn’t kept an exact count, he estimates that he has crafted over 1,300 pipes since turning professional in 2018, producing around 200 to 250 pipes each year.

This journey has been one of passion, dedication, and continuous learning, and Michele Brentegani is excited to see where it takes him next with Brentegani Pipes.