Butz Choquin Pipes: The Historic Connection to Saint Claude
In 1858, the foundation for what would become the Butz Choquin company, now based in Saint-Claude in the French Jura, was laid in Metz. This makes Butz Choquin the oldest active pipe manufacturer in the world. The company's history is closely intertwined with the development of Saint-Claude, regarded as the birthplace of the briar pipe.
According to legend, a French pipe maker once traveled to Corsica to visit Napoleon’s birthplace. During his journey, his meerschaum pipe broke, and a local craftsman carved him a new pipe from the native briarwood root. The exceptional smoking properties of this material impressed him so much that he brought the idea back to France. Thus, the briarwood root of Erica arborea found its way to Saint-Claude.
The Fascinating Development of Butz Choquin Pipes
The briarwood root quickly became synonymous with pipe making. The industry in Saint-Claude grew rapidly, establishing the region as the center of pipe manufacturing. By 1911, nearly 28 million pipes were produced annually, a figure that rose to an impressive 43 million by 1920.
Even today, thousands of pipes are crafted annually in Saint-Claude, and renowned brands like Chacom maintain their production facilities there. Butz Choquin's first pipe was an elegant reading pipe with silver accents and a stem made from albatross bone. The range soon expanded to include classic shapes such as Billiard, Apple, Bulldog, Bent, and Canadian.
Tradition Meets Innovation: Butz Choquin Today
Today, Butz Choquin is known for its creative designs and innovative surface treatments. Colorful lacquers, acrylic mouthpieces in various shades, and rusticated finishes are just as much a part of the range as classic shapes.
Pipe making in Saint-Claude still requires significant manual labor, despite ongoing modernization of production facilities. Remarkably, much of the work is performed by women, a long-standing tradition in the region. The Butz Choquin workshops are located on a picturesque side street in Saint-Claude, a charming town rich in artisanal heritage.
Butz Choquin: A Timeless Classic
Today, the company is led by Denis Blanc, a dedicated and charismatic entrepreneur whose passion and joy for craftsmanship are reflected in every pipe. Butz Choquin products are distinguished by their excellent value for money, making them beloved companions for pipe smokers worldwide.
We recommend Butz Choquin pipes as a robust, stylish, and high-quality choice for every smoking enthusiast.
