Ken Dederichs Pipes

Ken'ichiro Dederichs-Uchida, or Ken Dederichs for short, is a Germany-based, Japanese artisan who prefers to keep things low key. He keeps his production low, focusing on quality over quantity. That might go to explain why you really don't see much of Ken's work on the U.S. market, even as estates — and, moreover, it might explain why Ken's pipes are prized by collectors. Of course, that latter aspect might have more to do with the quality of his work itself. Ken's pipes are some of the most detail driven pieces around, and Dederichs goes to great lengths to ensure every aspect of his finished product is perfect — from the drilling and shaping, down to the stem work and finish. Stylistically, Ken approaches pipe making through a German/Austrian lens, with strong Danish roots and subtle hints of organic asymmetry that nod to master Tokutomi. Though informed by the classics, Dederichs' artistic flair and unique vision yield an aesthetic all his own.