The Pipes Cavicchi: Small, Flake Pipes, P.1

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I use the term "Flake Pipes" to refer to pipes that have a tobacco chamber capacity comparable to a Dunhill Group 1-4. I personally believe that pipes within that size range are ideal to smoke pressed tobaccos (such as flakes) in. This does not mean that they're not appropriate for other kinds of tobacco. In my opinion, if you smoke a regular mixture in a small pipe, you end up having a very short smoke, whereas a pressed tobacco usually lasts for over an hour in a Dunhill Group 3-4. The above is by no means a rule. It all depends on the smoking style and preferences of the individual pipe smoker.

 

Rusticated ©
Pipe Code: CV535 Price: CHF 165.00   Shape: Pot Weight: 38g / 1-11/32 oz Chamberø: 18.5mm -- Chamber Depth: 35mm -- Wall Thickness: 10mm -- Cleaner Passes?Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  3
COMMENT: Though the Pot is one of the most classic and well-established shapes, you rarely see it these days. In most cases what seems to be vaguely akin to the Pot is nothing more than a Billiard gone wrong or an inaccurate reproduction/design of the Pot (the latter being a euphemism)! The pipe we have here was intended to be a Pot, was executed to be a Pot, and at the end the final product is a Pot. The bowl measures 37mm (1.46") in diameter and 43mm (1.69") in height; the shank is 37mm long, which matches perfectly the bowl diameter. The pipe comes with a full-size saddle mouthpiece which goes from a width of 15.5mm (0.61"), a the shank-bowl joint, to 17.5mm (0.69") at the mouthpiece button.

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Rusticated ©
Pipe Code: CV536 Price: CHF 165.00   Shape: FF Apple Weight: 41g / 1-7/16 oz Chamberø: 18.5mm -- Chamber Depth: 36mm -- Wall Thickness: 13mm -- Cleaner Passes?Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  3
COMMENT: If we concentrate only on the bowl shape, then the pipe undoubtedly a classic Apple shape. The deviation from that definition is mainly due to the extra long shank, which at the end leads to a total length from the bowl-shank joint to the tip of the mouthpiece of about 108mm (4.25"), which is quite a lot, considering that the bowl is 43.5mm (1.71") tall. The Fishtail mouthpiece is bent to the perfect degree, at the right angle, to produce the highest level of balance and comfort. The pipe looks and feels quite special, and I'm confident that it will soon find a cosy home.

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Rusticated ©©
Pipe Code: CV539 Price: CHF 185.00   Shape: FF Stack Weight: 41g / 1-7/16 oz Chamberø: 19mm -- Chamber Depth: 40mm -- Wall Thickness: 10mm -- Cleaner Passes?Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  4
COMMENT: I have to admit that I was very, very tempted to define the shape as a "Freehand". Though the pipe is more than worthy of being described as a "Freehand", and for the sake of accuracy, I have decided to take the main feature of the shape design and run with it. The main feature I'm talking about is the bowl being more in height than the shank is in length, which is the idea, in my opinion, behind the Stack (or Chimney). In this case, the bowl measures 46mm (1.81") in height, while the shank measures only 35mm (1.38 inches) in length. If you concentrate on the pure shape of the bowl, then several other shapes may come to mind, primarily the "Barrel". Another graceful touch here is the shape of the bowl base, which is rounded a lot more than you would expect, offering a large bowl base. The lines around the bowl base are carried onto the shank, delineating the shank base. Thanks to this feature, the pipe can sit on it own on a flat surface without support (except for that of the mouthpiece tip). While this is not really a new shape for Cavicchi, it has proved to be one of the most popular over the years; each time, Claudio reproduces this shape, he makes a few changes, which means that though this pipe is not a new shape, it's unique in its own way.

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Rusticated ©©
Pipe Code: CV571 Price: CHF 220.00   Shape: "Barrel" Weight: 47g / 1-21/32 oz Chamberø: 21mm -- Chamber Depth: 41mm -- Wall Thickness: 10mm -- Cleaner Passes?Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  4
COMMENT: I love the name "Barrel", and I have always wondered how come it hasn't found its way into the official list of standard pipe shapes! The pipe combines the ruggedness and coarseness of the beautiful Cavicchi rustication with a very elegant, graceful shape. The bowl base is flat and so the pipe can stand on its own on a flat surface, and the view of it in that position points out even more its elegance. Note that the classic, tapered mouthpiece is quite slim; it measures only 13mm (about 1/2")in diameter. In spite of the very acute bend on the shank and the mouthpiece, a pipe cleaner goes through like a hot knife through butter (a really hot knife ;-) .

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Rusticated ©©
Pipe Code: CV572 Price: CHF 220.00   Shape: Freehand Weight: 52g / 1-27/32 oz Chamberø: 20.5mm -- Chamber Depth: 37mm -- Wall Thickness: 11mm -- Cleaner Passes?Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  3-4
COMMENT: There is not doubt in my mind that the only way to define this shape is by using the term "Freehand". AND, this is not considered a Freehand only for Claudio Cavicchi who is known to favor classic and freeform shapes; it's a Freehand as far as pipe making in general is concerned. This shape is so revolutionary for Claudio that he was not sure it would be welcomed by his fans. I believe that is one of the most innovative and impressive Cavicchi shapes that Claudio introduced in recent years. The pipe shape is quite unusual for Cavicchi, and I hope you see why. Just please examine the pictures carefully just to get a general impression of the beauty and complexity of the shape. By the way, that elegant shank insert is made of very well-grained tulip wood, and the mouthpiece comes in the old-fashioned Army Mount way. What makes this pipe even more special is the fact that it is graded as a rusticated pipe though two of the bowl sides are left in a smooth, natural finish, and to add fuel to the fire, those two sides exhibit excellent Crossgrain.

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