Long before Joe Hinkle began making pipes, he was a dedicated pipe smoker and collector. He spent years studying the craft before finally purchasing his first block of briar.

Two pipes ultimately inspired him to try making one himself. The first was a Luciano Bulldog designed by Greg Pease and Di Piazza. Its short, stout proportions gave it a distinctive look, and he found himself wanting more pipes with that same character. Shortly afterward, he saw a Fugu Cavalier by Tokutomi featured on Smokingpipes. It was more than a functional pipe—it was a sculpture. Together, those pipes captured the two worlds that excited him most: the emerging new American style and the high-grade sculptural work being created outside the United States.