Pipes

Originally from São Paulo, Brazil, Luiz Lavos was introduced to woodworking at an early age. His grandfather had a substantial workshop where Luiz spent much of his childhood observing his grandfather work and trying his own hand at various elements of the craft.

In the early stages of his pipe-making career, after moving to Portugal in 2017, Luiz connected with Portuguese carver Sabina Santos in person, visiting her workshop and receiving assistance on techniques and tooling. He also cites Premal Chheda as a helpful resource for trouble-shooting and mechanical questions, as well as Hans "Former" Nielsen who has spoken extensively with Luiz specifically about pipe finishing. He also cites Gustavo Cunha of MarTelo pipes and Chris Asteriou as vital resources for his pipe making. In 2021, however, he moved back to Brazil and has since established his workshop there.

Today, Luiz's pipe design generally caters to the Danish functionalist style, à la Tom Eltang, Former, and Jess Chonowitsch — prioritizing classic shapes in reserved, minimalist style and focusing on form and line work over ostentation and flashy adornments. If he decides to accent a pipe, Luiz especially appreciates the natural and elegant aesthetic of locally sourced Brazilian cow horn, and he utilizes only the highest quality Italian briar.

Luiz prides himself on his attention to detail and skills for analysis and observation, and as a craftsman, his number one goal is to combine that design acumen with engineering that elevates a pipe's pragmatic function.