The Pipes Cavicchi: Small, Flake Pipes, P.2

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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.

 

Smooth ©
Pipe Code: CV525 Price: CHF 240.00   Shape: FF Horn Weight: 42g / 1-15/32 oz Chamberø: 19mm -- Chamber Depth: 41mm -- Wall Thickness: 10mm -- Cleaner Passes? Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  4
COMMENT: This pipe, in that shape and with those features, is a first-timer for Cavicchi. When I first saw the pipe, I thought of the Woodstock/Zulu, preceded with the word "freeform", as the ideal shape definition, but later, I realize that using the "Horn" is more accurate. Though the pipe has the elegance of the Horn, it doesn't have the one feature that usually makes the Horn a difficult pipe to smoke: the very canted bowl. Indeed, the bowl, particularly the tobacco chamber, is quite upright that I expect the pipe to smoke like any other regular pipe. What a better deal than the elegance of the Horn, combined with the easy and regular combustion of a shape with an upright tobacco chamber! Speaking of horn, both the shank and the mouthpiece are fitted with an acrylic insert that appears to be identical to the looks of horn (the material). When you remove the mouthpiece, you really can't help but admire its elegance and admire Cavicchi for his patience and skill. I couldn't recommend a pipe more than this one, if you like the shape.

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Smooth ©
Pipe Code: CV544 Price: CHF 240.00   Shape: Freehand Weight: 44g / 1-9/16 oz Chamberø: 18mm -- Chamber Depth: 39mm -- Wall Thickness: 10mm -- Cleaner Passes? Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  3
COMMENT: I know that you must be shocked that I'm calling this pipe a Freehand, and that is not because I expect not to see it as a Freehand, but rather, because you probably know that I never use that term if I have a more accurate alternative, using standard shapes. Indeed, I initially wanted to call it a "Freeform Dublin", and while that would have been accurate, I believe it would have undermines the complexity of the shape too much to make my comment a fair one. I think we would agree that the BASIC shape of the bowl is that of a bent Dublin. What we do not realize immediately and at first sight is the fact that the pipe comes with numerous little and not little touches that make it so unique and innovative. Claudio came to visit me some time ago to show me shapes he had been experimenting with and he needed to know what I think of them before he made them available. Well, this was one of those shapes, and as soon as I saw it, I told him he would continue to make that shapes for the foreseeable future. The pipe shape is quite unusual for Cavicchi, and I hope you see why. The extra pictures are meant to tell you what I can't express through words. Just please examine them 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 Tulip Wood, also a novelty. If you decide to buy this pipe, I assure you, you will be getting the very, very first one in this shape to ever be produced.

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Smooth ©
Pipe Code: CV546 Price: CHF 240.00   Shape: Freehand Weight: 41g / 1-7/16 oz Chamberø: 17.5mm -- Chamber Depth: 36mm -- Wall Thickness: 10mm -- Cleaner Passes? Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  3
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. For this reason, Claudio came to visit me some time ago to show me shapes he had been experimenting with, and he needed to know what I thought of them before he made them available to you. Well, this was one of those shapes and among the most innovative and impressive, and as soon as I saw it, I told him that he had just produced a shape that not only would be appreciated by his customers but also that it would stay with us for years to come. The pipe shape is quite unusual for Cavicchi, and I hope you see why. The extra pictures are meant to tell you what I can't express through words. Just please examine them 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 Tulip Wood, which is a novelty, and the mouthpiece comes in the old-fashioned Army Mount way. As for the grain, I hope the pictures do their job and show you how impressive it is.

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Smooth ©
Pipe Code: CV573 Price: CHF 260.00   Shape: Canadian Weight: 40g / 1-13/16 oz Chamberø: 20.5mm -- Chamber Depth: 39mm -- Wall Thickness: 9.5mm -- Cleaner Passes? Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  4
COMMENT: If you have read my article on Cavicchi ("A Different Harvest"), you would know that long-shanked pipes, such as the Canadian and the Lovat, are among Claudio's most challenging and favorite shapes. His decision to make such a pipe starts when he's selecting his briar, since only specially cut pieces are suitable for the long-shanked pipes Cavicchi makes. This is clear in the fact that you never see a half-hearted Canadian or Lovat; they're usually as the book says and in a lot of cases, even better and more impressive (and here I'm thinking mainly of the bowl size and length of the shank). Here's a Cavicchi Canadian that is a dream come true for the lovers of this shape. The shank measures 78mm (3.1") in length, and the overall length of the pipe is an impressive 155mm (6.1"). The bowl is 35mm (1.38") in diameter and 47mm (1.85") in height. The pipe both looks and feels so well balanced and so elegance and graceful, and judging by the consistently high smoking quality of Cavicchi pipes, I believe this will become a favorite pipe for whoever ends up being its proud owner.

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Smooth ©©
Pipe Code: CV529 Price: CHF 315.00   Shape: Bent Billiard Weight: 41g / 1-7/16 oz Chamberø: 19mm -- Chamber Depth: 38mm -- Wall Thickness: 10mm -- Cleaner Passes? Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  4
COMMENT: This is a pipe that I just had to have and offer to you. It stands for everything that is elegant and graceful about the classic Billiard. What makes it even more special is the fact that it is bent, and it is not that often that we seen a classic BENT Billiard. Of course, the stop doesn't stop there; the pipe has so many other attractive features that can only make it quite unique. Cavicchi added a very beautiful plain silver band, and created an equally elegant tapered mouthpiece which fits into the shank the Army Mount way, which added a further classic touch to the overall design. The grain is most definitely what impressed me most about this pipe, especially considering that Claudio graded it only Smooth 2C, only due to a few tiny sandpits that I had a hard time spotting at first. Most of the grain around the bowl is what I wouldn't hesitate to describe as Straight Grain. I love the way in which the wood and the grain collaborated to bring out the best of the grain. The bowl top and the base of the entire pipe exhibit wonderful Bird's Eye. I'm more than confident that if you end up owning this pipe, you will soon count it among your favorite shapes and smoking pipes.

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Smooth ©©
Pipe Code: CV549 Price: CHF 285.00   Shape: Wheel Weight: 49g / 1-23/32 oz Chamberø: 18mm -- Chamber Depth: 38mm -- Wall Thickness: 11-14mm -- Cleaner Passes? Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  3
COMMENT: "Wheel" is, as far as I'm concerned" a strange term that I use to describe a Freehand that is actually, slightly definable. You see, when you hear the word "Freehand", you have no idea what to expect, but when you hear the word "Wheel", you know that it is not a standard or established or common shape that is ROUND! If you agree with this reasoning, then you might appreciate the use of the term "wheel" as strange as it may sound. This shape is so unusual for Claudio that he was not sure it would be welcomed by his fans. For this reason, Claudio came to visit me some time ago to show me shapes he had been experimenting with, and he needed to know what I thought of them before he made them available to you. Well, this was one of those shapes and among the most innovative and impressive, and as soon as I saw it, I told him that he had just produced a shape that not only would be appreciated by his customers but also that it would stay with us for years to come. The pipe shape is quite unusual for Cavicchi, and I hope you see why. The extra pictures are meant to tell you what I can't express through words. Just please examine them carefully just to get a general impression of the beauty and complexity of the shape. I just love the contrast there is between the roundedness of the bowl shape and the dome-like shape of the shank. By the way, that elegant shank insert is made of Tulip Wood, which shows fabulous grain akin to Bird's Eye on briar, and the saddle mouthpiece comes in an elaborate shape and in the old-fashioned Army Mount way. As for the grain, I hope the pictures do their job and show you how impressive it is. Finally, and thanks to the flattend bowl and shank base, the pipe can sit on its own without any support, and I have to admit that it look fabulous in that position, and the mouthpiece and most of the shank suspended in the air.

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Smooth ©©
Pipe Code: CV574 Price: CHF 310.00   Shape: Flying Saucer Weight: 64g / 2-1/4 oz Chamberø: 21mm -- Chamber Depth: 31mm -- Wall Thickness: 22mm -- Cleaner Passes? Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  2
COMMENT: I'm proud to say that the term "Flying Saucer" has gained a lot of popularity, and every now and then I hear/see someone using it to describe a shape. I pride myself on the fact that I believe I was the first one ever to introduce it, and guess what, I first used it to describe a Cavicchi just like the one you see here. Let me first of all give you a few more specific measurements in order to help you understand the charming nature of this shape: (1) The bowl diameter is 64mm (2.52"), (2) The bowl height is 37mm (1.46"), and (3) The shank is 45mm (1.77") long. What makes this particular pipe different from previous Flying Saucers is the length of the shank, and the short, saddle mouthpiece. This means that the pipe is the perfect combination of both the Saucer and the classic Lovat. Of course, the slender, saddle mouthpiece should help make the effect of the weight of the pipe less notable. As is the case with this Cavicchi shape, the pipe exhibits massive Bird's Eye on the bowl top, and some on the bowl base, with Flame Grain on the sides.

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