The Butz-Choquin line has become known worldwide since its inception for both the quality of its pipes and its flair for the unusual. This flair for the unique began in 1963 when Claude Berrod (father of current president Jean-Paul Berrod) began to experiment with new and unusual pipe shapes. At that time it was truly revolutionary for a French carver to experiment with nontraditional shapes since the French were faithful to very traditional shapes.