The Pipes Cavicchi Pipes: Smooth-©

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Pipe Code: CV503 Price: CHF 240.00   Shape: FF Lovat Weight: 51g / 1-13/16 oz Chamber ø: 20.5mm -- Chamber Depth: 44mm -- Wall Thickness: 12mm -- Cleaner Passes?Yes

COMMENT: You might be wondering why I decided to describe this shape as a "Freeform Lovat", as opposed to a straightforward classic "Lovat". Well, it all lies in the shape of the bowl, which in my opinion is not quite the classic Billiard shape. If you look closely you might notice that the bowl shape is somewhere between the Billiard and the Apple, and hence the use of the term "freeform". Apart from that, the shape is undoubtedly that of a Lovat, complete with the long, round shank and the short, saddle mouthpiece. The pipe is quite robust, with so much wood all over it. The shank is also very slightly tapered, starting at the bowl's end at a diameter of 17mm and ending at the other end at 15mm. Yes, the difference is tiny, but it does affect the overall appearance of the pipe. This is why I see this as a very special and unique interpretation of the Lovat, and if you collect Lovats (esp. large ones), this one should be a great addition to your collection.

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Pipe Code: CV505 Price: CHF 240.00   Shape: Freehand Weight: 74g / 2-19/32 oz Chamber ø: 21.5mm -- Chamber Depth: 55mm -- Wall Thickness: 12mm -- Cleaner Passes?Yes

COMMENT: I'm happy and proud to be able to offer you this shape, which is one of Cavicchi's most recent and exciting additions to his shape arsenal. Though it is not my shape at all, I'm completely in love with it, and if I smoked anything other than perfectly straight pipes, I'm sure I would have added one in this shape to my personal collection. There's no doubt in my mind that the best way to define the shape is by using the term "Freehand"; however, I do have an idea. You see, when you look at the bowl shape, with the mouthpiece pointing towards the floor, I bet you anything you will see a... "Golf club"! Please look at the first picture on the left, and tilt your head to the left side, and see if you agree! In addition, the pipe comes in an extra large size, with a bowl that proudly stands at 81mm (3.19 inches) high! Notice the two elegant grooves that Claudio added to the end of the shank, and also the slender tapered mouthpiece with its Army Mount. Another feature that is important to many is the fact that, thanks to the flat base of the bowl, the pipe can sit still on a flat surface without support. The grain is another story most definitely worth referring to. It's very elegant blend of Crossgrain and massive Bird's Eye. Every time I look at this pipe, in that shape and size and with that grain, I simply cannot even begin to understand how it can be offered in this entry grade and for this low price! This is a magnificent pipe, and I would recommend it as highly as any other pipe I have ever recommended.

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Pipe Code: CV559 Price: CHF 260.00   Shape: Author Weight: 70g / 2-15/32 oz Chamber ø: 21.5mm -- Chamber Depth: 38mm -- Wall Thickness: 15mm -- Cleaner Passes?Yes

COMMENT: If I recall correctly, I don't think I have ever used the term "Author" before, though I might have mentioned it in one of my previous comments. What I understand about the Author, as used by almost all pipe smokers and collectors, seems to describe this pipe perfectly. In other words, I think this pipe is a perfect illustration of the Author shape. What is that exactly? Well, it's basically a squashed chubby Apple with a thick, usually short, shank. Sometimes, an Author is defined as such though the "squashed" element is missing, and in this case, I would have trouble using the word "Author"; I'd simply use the good old "Chubby Apple". Regardless of the definition of the shape, I can't NOT point out the fabulous piece of wood out of which this pipe was made. I just find the almost perfect Straight Grain quite impressive, and if it hadn't been for a few visible (though tiny) sandpits on the base of the bowl, this pipe would have command a much higher price.

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Pipe Code: CV560 Price: CHF 260.00   Shape: "Prune" Weight: 55g / 1-15/16 oz Chamber ø: 21mm -- Chamber Depth: 43mm -- Wall Thickness: ->19mm -- Cleaner Passes?Yes

COMMENT: I have thought about this shape for quite a while, trying desperately to come up with an accurate, intelligent definition. Well, I failed miserably, as you may have noticed by reading the shape description above. Yes, yes, the bowl shape is indeed "similar" to the shape of a... prune, but there is so much more to the pipe that just the shape of the bowl. I could have resorted to "freehand", but that is not fair to you or the pipe. When you look at this shape, you will notice the extra long shank, which has a flat base; combine this with the flat, saddle mouthpiece, and you have a pipe that can rest on a flat surface without support. Another important factor is the plateau top, which is a feature that doesn't come by that often these days. Though the pipe has quite a large tobacco chamber, it weighs close to nothing, and thanks to the comfortable mouthpiece and the slightly bend on the shank, I'm more than confident that this pipe would be a true pleasant to pack, clench on, and puff away.

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Pipe Code: CV561 Price: CHF 260.00   Shape: Freeform Apple Weight: 67g / 2-3/8 oz Chamber ø: 21.5mm -- Chamber Depth: 41mm -- Wall Thickness: 15mm -- Cleaner Passes?Yes

COMMENT: You know, when I saw this pipe, I starting thinking about Cavicchi and the Apple shape. I went back to pictures of previous pipes that I have acquired and sold over the past 10 years, and I came to the conclusion that the Apple is not only one of the most regularly produced shape, but also that Cavicchi never really sticks to one or even two or even three interpretations of the classic Apple. It's quite impressive to put all those pictures together and see the subtle and yet evident differences among them. This pipe is not exception. I have never seen a Cavicchi Apple just like this one. First the bowl shape itself is not the typical Cavicchi, or the classic Apple. More obviously, Claudio put a lot of time and energy into the creation of that wonderfully decorative and elaborate mouthpiece, with the protruding briarwood insert. I have to admit that the pipe is quite distinctive, and it owes a lot to that artistic touch and dedication that Claudio is well known for. If the price of a pipe were determined solely on the effort and time of the maker, this pipe would fetch a very steep price!

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