Goussard Pipes (Charl Goussard)

Goussard Pipes is a contemporary signature South African pipe master Charl Goussard carries on single-handedly at his bench in Cape Town. Pipemaking in South Africa is not as established a craft as in Europe or North America; for this reason Goussard is counted among the few names representing the country within the international collector circle.

Founding the Bench

Goussard's interest in pipes began during his university years, and after making his first pipe the pursuit became a lasting one. The bench's founding is dated, according to records, to 2007. Again according to the same account, because sourcing briar blocks was initially expensive, the maker worked with whatever local species he could get his hands on, trying woods such as wild olive, guava, and African blackwood. This early period also lays the groundwork for the material variety that later became the workshop's distinguishing trait.

Pipemaking has not been Goussard's sole source of income. It is reported that his day job runs alongside the bench, and production is correspondingly limited in number. The workshop's current working pace has not been confirmed by independent sources.