The Pipes DG Pipes. Grade: E

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• As he lives close to Italy's biggest briar supplier, Gabriele Dal Fiume is fortunate enough to go and select his briar, piece by piece.
  
• Due to the fact that Gabriele has a full time job, he can dedicate only a small part of his time to pipe making; this means that his annual production is extremely limited.
  
• All Gabriele's pipes are stamped "DG" (Dal Fiume Gabriele), with the grade (A, B, C, D, E, F, and Dal Fiume). For a complete guide to DG grading system, please go to: DG Grading Guide.

 

Pipe is stamped: "E" ~ "07" ~ "41"
Pipe Code: DG074 Price: CHF 600.00   Shape: FF Lovat Weight: 46g / 1-5/8 oz Chamberø: 20.5mm -- Chamber Depth: 39mm -- Wall Thickness:->12mm -- Cleaner Passes? Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  4 An alternative way to view all the pictures of this pipe is: The SlideShow.
COMMENT: With all the breathtaking DG pipes with light-colored bamboo shanks that Dal Fiume produces, it was not enough. It took Gabriele at least a couple of years of hard work and perseverance to get his hands on a stock of dark-colored bamboo, and the pipe you see here is one of the first such pipes to be made and offered for sale. Note that the color of the bamboo is NOT the result of the maker's application of a stain or any other process. This type of bamboo is found in this dark color in nature, but it is extremely hard to find. I've always been fond of pipes with bamboo shanks, but now that I have seen this type of bamboo, I know that my collection of these pipes will soon be as substantial as my finances permit. The dark color of this bamboo somehow manages to fit more discretely with briar and acrylic, without ever failing to make its presence evident. I always appreciate the fact that the knuckle of this bamboo are usually of a lighter color than the stem itself, which makes the bamboo shank itself a lot more beautiful and intriguing. As for the shape, I had to add the word "freeform" to the word "Lovat" simply because the classic Lovat has a classic Billiard bowl, whereas this pipe comes with a bowl shape that resembles more that of an Apple. Apart from that, the shank is long and round and the mouthpiece is short and saddle, just as the rules dictate when it comes to my beloved Lovat. The pipe is quite robust with so much wood all over. The grain is a blend of Flame Grain around the bowl and some beautiful Bird's Eye on the bowl top and base. This pipe is not in the "E" grade for nothing!

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Pipe is stamped: "E" ~ "08" ~ "89", plus the butterfly
Pipe Code: DG087 Price: CHF 650.00   Shape: FF Calabash Weight: 44g / 1-9/16 oz Chamberø: 21.5mm -- Chamber Depth: 42mm -- Wall Thickness:10-13mm -- Cleaner Passes? Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  5 An alternative way to view all the pictures of this pipe is: The SlideShow.
COMMENT: I never thought that the day would come for me to find reason to describe a DG pipe as a Calabash, and the reason is that the Calabash is one of the hardest standard shapes to find and make, and DG is not known to be a maker of standard shapes. Of course, the word "Freeform" was necessary because there are many features that make this a unique and distinctive Calabash. First of all, the bowl follows the shape of three different rounded panels, varying in size and shape. The meeting point between one of these panels and the other is marked by a little twist that is carried out around the bowl rim. The lines delineating those panels continue shrouding the bowl and all the way till they reach the shank and have the same effect on it. Gabriele didn't stop there. When his hands reach the end of the shank, he decided to make the elaborate even more elaborate, and he did that by making a spiral shape that kind of visually paves the way to the introduction of the mouthpiece. In this case, and I think rightly so, Gabriele chose a very elegantly slender tapered mouthpiece which he fitted with a maple wood insert. I'd like you now to look carefully at the third picture, from the left, second row. There you see a little crack that was repaired and put firmly in place. When I first saw the pipe, I though it was part of the grain of the wood. However, when I sat down to write this comment, I examined the pipe further, and I reached the conclusion that the insert was indeed repaired. I debated for a few seconds whether I should go on and write the comment and eventually put the pipe up for sale, or simply give it back to Gabriele. This is the first time I'm confronted with a case exactly like this and then I decided to go ahead and offer you the pipe. If you know me and you know my reputation, you will realize that this decision speaks volumes, more than any comment I have written in my life, about the beauty, the uniqueness, and above all, the value that this pipe offers. If I had the slightest doubt that whoever ends up buying this pipe may eventually regret it, I would have never, ever offered it on my site. This pipe comes with a handmade maple wood DG tamper, at no extra cost.

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Pipe is stamped: "E" ~ "08" ~ "85", plus the butterfly
Pipe Code: DG088 Price: CHF 650.00   Shape: Freehand Weight: 76g / 2-11/16 oz Chamberø: 21.5mm -- Chamber Depth: 47mm -- Wall Thickness:14mm -- Cleaner Passes? Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  6+ An alternative way to view all the pictures of this pipe is: The SlideShow.
COMMENT: We all know by now that Gabriele Dal Fiume is quite a talented pipe maker, and over the past few years, he has demonstrated that through his innovative pipe designs and his constant endeavor to produce more and more unique and exciting shapes. I started with this introduction simply to pave to the way to the following statement: I personally believe that this particular pipe is one of the most impressive DG pipes I have seen to date. It offers all the excitement that you would expect from a DG pipe, and lots and lots more. The pipe stands for those rare occasions when the pipe represents the best of both nature and man. The former is evident in the quality of the wood and the exceptional grain. The latter is clearly manifested in the elaborate, intricate DG pipe design as well as the first-class craftsmanship that results from precision, hard work, and pure talent. I could go on and on, but I believe that the 8 pictures offered should give you enough information as to understand why I'm making such strong statements about this particular pipe. If, on the other hand, you don't see anything special, then I apologize for any headaches I may have brought upon you! This pipe comes with a handmade maple wood DG tamper, at no extra cost.

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