Customer Testimonials

I appreciate all my past Pipe customers. I remember them all, and I often think of the good conversations we have shared about pipes, and life in general. I hope you are all doing well, and that your hand made pipe is still pleasing you.

If you would like to see some of what I am now up to, since having to give up Pipe Making, have a look at my art site using the link below. It will open in a separate window.

View my Paintings on my Artist Site

"I just ordered another of your pipes from Knoxville Cigar Co. The pipe was listed as "SC 117" on your web site. This is one of the most artistically impressive pipe sculptures I have seen. Pipes with "Bridge" work are hard to come by. But to find (3) bridge type carvings on the same pipe is unbelievable. Your "Organic" styling is wonderfully "Symmetrical." creating the best of both worlds. It pushes the boundaries of the known aesthetic.

I deeply admire your sense of style and your ability to render it in the medium of Briar. I have been collecting pipes for years. After perusing the works of Teddy Knudsen, Kent Rasmussen, S. Bang, Takeo Arita, and Tokutomi...I thought I had seen just about all the "Flamboyant" styles being produced. How wrong I was. Your pipes are "Cutting Edge" and refreshingly "New." I thank you for your beautiful smoking creations. I know I will be adding others to the collection soon."

Ed Jow--Circulation Director, San Mateo County Times, California, USA

"I wanted to send a note about a "Prince" shape I purchased through Cup O'Joes. I ordered it just prior to my mid tour leave from Iraq, and it was waiting for me when I got home. I filled it with some MacBaren Va Flake, and sat back to enjoy a delightful smoke. The pipe smoked beautifully, drawing perfectly, delighting the eye and hand. I was reluctant to leave it behind when I returned to Iraq, but in the end decided that it was too nice to risk. I highly recommended your work to several of my pipe smoking friends. I fully intend to purchase more of your pipes. Do you do custom work? I am looking to get a pipe to celebrate my return to civilian life."

Ronald S. Gauld -- SFC US Army -- Camp Victory, Baghdad Iraq

"I just wanted to let you know that I received one of your pipes that I ordered from Knoxville Cigar yesterday, and took her on her maiden voyage last night. I was amazed at the quality, from both aesthetic and engineering perspectives. The grain is predominantly straight, with a tad of flame, and looks fantastic. The quality of the briar is excellent. The engineering is something to behold, having an easy draw, and taking a pipe cleaner with absolutely no resistance. For comparison, I have a rather expensive Jess Chonowitsch that requires some twisting on the pipe cleaner.

I loaded the pipe 3/4 full with Margate; it smoked cleanly down to the bottom. There was no moisture build-up during the smoke, and I didn't use a cleaner until the smoke was completed. That is a testament to your quality engineering. While the first smoke in a pipe is usually a bit hotter than subsequent smokes, in yours, the difference was minimal, and I expect the difference will be negligible in my next bowl. The pipe rest comfortably in the hand, and rests in the mouth with a bit that is just the right thickness.

Thanks for making such a beautiful and functional art form. As I conjecture about the future, I see a few more of your pipes finding their way to my collection. Keep up the great work!!"

Gary Lampi -- Principal -- Nicholson & Lampi -- Sacramento California

"Upon taking your pipe out of the tasteful blue sock, I proceeded to turn it over and over again in my hand, captivated by its beauty; it is a work of art: The bowl caught my attention first. It's staggeringly beautiful grain, multi-layered finish, and delightful egg shape was so pleasing that it brought back images from atop the Dali Museum in Figueros Spain (which is adorned in wonderfully symmetrical giant eggs!) The stem reflects the bowls graceful lines and the joint between, connecting it with the mouthpiece, was seamless. I continued to turn it over and over with admiration for its balance and grace in the hand--simply a joy to behold; I was, even to my surprise, mesmerized."

"Later that night, on the balcony of our apartment, overlooking the Vltava River, I had a bowl of Early Morning Pipe. Your pipe delivered the tobacco exceptionally, was a pleasure to hold, and I enjoyed the smoke immensely. You have created a true work of practical beauty and art."

T. Prague

"I am writing you to thank you for an incredible pipe experience; your pipe smokes beautifully; a good draw, and cool from the first bowl. The finish, staining, and rustication are second to none. It has a great balance and feels great in the hand. As you recommended, it is a fantastic flake pipe. I look forward to many many years of smoking pleasure with this work of art. I am looking forward to showing it at our next club meeting. One of our members, Steve, met you and acquired one of your creations and spoke very highly of it; he was right."

"Many, many thanks!"

Doug Gavin -- President, Vancouver Pipe Club -- Vancouver Canada

"John, incredible is a good description of this amazing pipe! Also, stunning, perfect, beautiful!!! My friend, you have a talent that many only dream of. Your attention to detail, the eye you have for working the briar to bring out the wonderful grain is fantastic. I suppose you could say John, that I'm completely satisfied with this work of art!! Pipe # 57 is well balanced and fits my hand like it was made just for me. The lines of this work of art are soothing to the eye and very elegant. The briar inlay on the stem adds a touch of class to the overall look and the stem itself is shaped as an extension to a pipe most wonderful. I christened her with a bowl of McClellands "Dark Star" and it was an experience I will long remember! The pipe smoked sweet and dry, the draw is perfect and I am very happy to have this pipe in my collection! I could go on and on but I think you know that I love the pipe and I will watch your web site daily for another Rocheleau masterpiece to add to my rotation, I thank you John; you have exceeded my expectations in the craft of pipe design! Warmest regards, Ray, a very happy Rocheleau pipe owner."

Raymond Charlong Jr. -- Michigan USA

"Over time I have become the proud owner of nine (9) Rocheleau pipes. I purchased the first three through Ebay at the beginning of his pipe making career, because the shapes, and of course the price, appealed to me a lot. The smoking qualities, and especially the beautiful shapes and fine workmanship encouraged me to buy more pipes from John. I have to say that I am happy with all of them. Very seldom will you find such good quality, unique shapes, and especially well-priced pipes. I feel I am a good person to judge this. I am a pipe smoker for twenty years, and I have a huge collection of high quality pipes that gives me a good basis for comparison. I wish John all the best in his artistry, and a lot of fulfillment in making pipes. I am sure his customers will thank him, and of course That includes me."

Tom Schwoerbel -- Duisburg Germany

"I was surprised to find the pipe in my mailbox today. It's more beautiful and elegant than I expected and extremely comfortable in the hand and the teeth. I already smoked a bowl of Barbary Coast from it, and it smoke very well for a brand new pipe. Now I am looking forward to breaking it in, and enjoying it for years to come. Thanks for your prompt service and for making a quality product at such a fair price. My hat is off to you."

Paul Langlois -- California USA

"I am now the proud owner of a new Rocheleau briar pipe. After corresponding for a bit about his pipes, and time spent viewing them on the web, I made the trip to John's Kelowna workshop. After a great visit and comradery over coffee and a bowl of fine tobacco, I purchased a lovely rusticated briar pipe. John's integrity and workmanship sold me on this pipe. He is honest and does not hesitate to point out every detail. The workmanship is beautiful and artfully presented. His wife Rosemarie has done a beautiful job on the pipe bags that come with each briar. The briar smoked sweet and cool from the first bowl, and is quickly becoming a favorite in the rotation."

"I do not hesitate to encourage others who are considering a Rocheleau pipe to take the plunge. The cost and the workmanship make these pipes a great deal. I have the feeling I will be adding others in the years ahead."

Steven Laug -- Founding member Vancouver Pipe Club, Canada

"I am the very proud and satisfied owner of one of John's pipes, a work of beauty both in terms of form and function. Anyone who owns a Rocheleau pipe, or who has merely inquired about owning one, knows immediately of the care John puts into his work to ensure the complete satisfaction of the pipe's owner. Thus, his pipes are born from quality briar, then well engineered, then turned into small works of art. The care John shows in every aspect of his pipes' development is a reflection of his skill as an artist and his concern as a person. I am happy to recommend his work to the pipe smoking community."

Ed Hagan -- New York USA

"Just a quick note to let you know how pleased I am with the pipe I bought from you! It's so hard to buy a pipe on-line from a picture, but as the saying goes, "it looks much better in person!" The briar is flawless (if it isn't, you mention it on your site), the workmanship is superb, it has been very easy to break-in, and it smokes like a dream."

"It was a pleasure dealing with you. You answered all my questions, and notified me when the pipe was shipped (it arrived earlier than you guessed, and it was well protected)."

"John, you're a gentleman, and a class-act. I'll be buying other pipes from you. Thanks for everything."

Harry Quesenberry -- Colorado USA

"After viewing his web site and admiring his work, I recently purchased a pipe made by John Rocheleau (A-39 in his web site pipe gallery). This is a very pretty pipe, well conceived and executed. It's an attractive, unique shape, carved from a beautiful piece of briar so as to show off the tight straight grain, and bored so that the smoking chamber has especially thick walls. The draft hole is correctly positioned at the bottom of the smoking chamber so the pipe draws freely, and it passes the pipe cleaner test easily. The saddle bit is comfortable in the mouth and perfectly fitted to the stem. After only three smokes, it had already become a good smoker, and though I have more than sixty pipes, it's now one of my favorites. Though it began life as a blond, the pipe is developing a distinctive look as it slowly darkens, taking on an attractive tawny hue. "

"So, I'm very happy with John's work, and I recommend him enthusiastically. By the way, considering their high quality, John's pipes are extremely reasonably priced."

Jim Selser -- Nevada USA

"It is quite a success to find a pipe maker who is particularly fond of your preferred kind of shape--and now I am that lucky guy. Clean workmanship and an artist's experienced sense of form (as found here) are no disadvantage either (believe me, I know the difference). Last, not least, settlement and shipment went well, even to Europe--everything my heart desires. Always, appreciative,"

Andreas Baer -- Siegburg Germany

"My dealings with John Rocheleau have been pleasant and enjoyable. I enjoy my Rocheleau pipe, and look forward to more over the years. The craftsmanship and attention to detail are obvious, from first glance through minute inspection, and it is a pleasure to handle and smoke."

Austin Gosling -- Germering Germany