Introducing Abi Natur
Abi Natur vividly remember the first time he smelled the lit tobacco from his fathers pipe. He first rubbed his eyes from the dense white sweetish smoke, but in time he was drawn to it more and more observing the pipe ritual with fascination. Yes indeed, it opened his eyes then and now.
He was born in 1970 in Belgrade. Since a boy he showed great affinity for different languages, musical instruments and art nourished by his polyglot parents. He attended various international schools during his extensive travels in regard to his fathers professional involvement as a manager. It starts from Karlsruhe, Stuttgart ,Vienna and Zurich and all over the Mediterranean and Balkan peninsula. His educational journey officially ended when he graduated as a dental technician practicing his hands in precise proportions and a responsible professional environment. The Mediterranean region and the island of Rhodos had a significant influence in regard to work ethics and inspirations. Previous experiences in hobbies like sculpting stone, mosaics and engravings translated itself with time into finely crafted smoking pipes. Yet without the support of his caring wife and children he could never strive towards some lasting accomplishment within his craft.
"I found that the exchange of ideas on Pipemaker forums showed a positive impact. Developing a certain level of understanding for the true nature of shape, proportions and the necessary technical ability to execute a properly drilled and comfortable smoking instrument" he said.
"Working one pipe at a time is my general approach to pipe-crafting, so that each pipe receives my utmost attention. Even the few standard shapes that I make are unique, I do not use templates in the creation of a pipe. My tobacco chambers are tapered toward the bottom and hand sanded. Each drought hole is freehand drilled and enters the tobacco chamber at the bottom center. The pipe cleaner must be able to pass the pipe from the button of the stem to the bottom of the tobacco chamber without any disassembly. The bit is very widely V-sloted to reassure an easy air draw" he said.
The Olive tree stands as a symbol for peace , finds also its steady place in pipe-crafting. The curing of the wood by the hand of the pipemaker is a rewarding, traditional approach that reflects in the pipe. His Workshop is placed by the harbor-city of Bar in Montenegro at the Adriatic seacoast where. The olive tree species “Barska Zutica–Olea Europea” is also to be found in that region, a sturdy tree that in a intense sea-mountain climate slowly grows to a excellent work-material for smoking pipes. It often complements certain pipe-blends with a subtle oily- sweetish taste in the first offerings. One of the oldest olive trees in the world grows in Bar and is approximately 2000 years old. The "Stara Maslina" which means translated "The Old Olive".
"I harvest my olive wood from trees 350 and up to 800 years of age. After cutting, cleaning and grading, the wood cures in some old fashioned way for a few more years until its structural stability and full dryness is achieved. Each handpicked block of wood is thoroughly observed before being projected on to the shape. The best olive wood for smoking pipes is slowly growing on almost bare stony grounds, the natural fight for survival over hundreds of years is perfectly reflected through the superb marble like grain and its density.Only the best wood is good enough for a smoking pipe, so feel free to take a stroll in our garden of pipes" he said.