The Pipes DG Pipes. Grade: SB (Sandblasted)

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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, SB, C, D, E, F, and Dal Fiume). For a complete guide to DG grading system, please go to: DG Grading Guide.

 

Pipe is stamped: "SB" ~ "05" ~ "167", plus the butterfly
Pipe Code: DG039 Price: CHF 390.00   Shape: Freehand Weight: 45g / 1-19/32 oz Chamber ø: 19mm  --  Chamber Depth: 30mm  --  Wall Thickness: ->15mm  --  Cleaner Passes? Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  2
COMMENT: I must admit that this pipe, though small in size, is most intriguing in design, in spite of its misleadingly simple and humble appearance. There's so much to the shape that I don't think I can tackle all of them in this simple comment; I just hope that the pictures do a better job at achieving this goal than my words. The shape for some reason reminds me of an almond with the shell; if you're wondering why, stop wondering because I ain't gonna tell you (I don't know, that is)! It is my duty to draw your attention to the smooth bowl top that is of the same finish and color as the thin ring at the end of the shank and right before the beautiful boxwood insert. As for the size, this is the smallest pipe on this page in terms of external measurements as well as the tobacco chamber size.

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Pipe is stamped: "SB" ~ "06" ~ "89", plus the butterfly
Pipe Code: DG058 Price: CHF 390.00   Shape: Freehand Weight: 56g / 1-31/32 oz Chamber ø: 20.5mm  --  Chamber Depth: 30mm  --  Wall Thickness:  ->16mm --  Cleaner Passes? Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  2
COMMENT: This shape is quite tricky. You see, when you first get to see it, you get the impression that it is rather simple and straightforward. However, when you start examining it, slowly but surely, you start to realize that the first impression is inaccurate. At the heart of the shape, I see something resembling a squat Apple (i.e., Prince), but that is only touching the surface and is in by no means a reliable element in the shape definition, and hence, the term "Freehand". Note that the bowl is slightly oval, measuring in diameter, across, 44mm, while 49mm, across from the side facing the shank to the other. The bowl is made quite unusual due to that large crane (groove) at the left-hand side, close to the shank (see second picture from the left, first row). The truly unique part of the pipe, however, is the shank. It's a massive one, measuring 42mm in width, at the mouthpiece-shank juncture; it is more impressive when you consider that the shank's width at the bowl-shank juncture is only 17mm. I understand from Gabriele that a lot of time and effort were invested in the mouthpiece alone, due to the elaborate briarwood inserts on both sides.

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Pipe is stamped: "08" ~ "08"
Pipe Code: DG081 Price: CHF 340.00   Shape: FF Liverpool Weight: 31g / 1-3/32 oz Chamber ø: 20mm  --  Chamber Depth: 45mm  --  Wall Thickness:  8mm  --  Cleaner Passes? Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  6+
COMMENT: I just can't help but express my deep appreciation for this rare and very attractive black bamboo. This appreciation is stronger when the pipe is a long-shanked one, since I'm a fan of such pipes. The basic shape here is no doubt that of the Liverpool: Billiard-shaped bowl, long round shank, and short tapered mouthpiece. As is the case of his bamboo-shanked pipes, Gabriele fitted both end of the bamboo extension with a black acrylic extension (or "plug" if you will) to guarantee a perfect fit between the bamboo and the mouthpiece, on one end, and the shank, on the other. In addition, and like all the other DG bamboo pipes, this one does not have any internal tubes of inserts. What is quite impressive about this particular pipe is that it combines a very large bowl with large tobacco chamber and feather weight. When I look at the large tobacco chamber, I just can't believe that the entire pipe weighs a mere 31g (1-3/32 oz)! Why then did I decide to add the word FF (Freeform) to the word "Liverpool"? Well, mainly because the shape of the bowl is not the typical Billiard shape; it looks more like an elongated "prune", and being a purist, I just couldn't get myself to use the classic term "Liverpool" loosely. This pipe comes with a handmade maple wood DG tamper, at no extra cost.

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Pipe is stamped: "SB" ~ "08" ~ "44"
Pipe Code: DG082 Price: CHF 340.00   Shape: FF Apple Weight: 50g / 1-3/4 oz Chamber ø: 22mm  --  Chamber Depth: 34mm  --  Wall Thickness:  12mm  --  Cleaner Passes? Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  4
COMMENT: It's always a great pleasure to be able to offer a sandblasted DG pipe in this rare and elegant natural color. This is as natural a finish as they come, since no stain has been applied to the pipe, mainly wax and polishing paste. These pipes darken up so quickly and they simply keep on getting more and more beautiful. I have a couple of them, and watching them color slowly and gracefully always reminds me of the true charm of meerschaum pipes. The shape here is that of the Apple, but I add "FF" to the shape definition mainly because the bowl is not as tall as that of the classic Apple. In other words, I see the bowl shape as a bit too round to quality as a traditional Apple. The blasting of the pipe is definitely among its most attractive features. As you can see from the picture, the blasting is both deep and precise. The result is a beautiful combination of Flame Grain and Ringblast, a fact that tells us how beautiful the grain of this pipe was before it was blasted. The tapered mouthpiece plays an important role in giving the pipe that classic, traditional look, and considering that the wide of the bit (that part that we clench on) is 19mm (0.75"); the fact that it is wide means for some people that the pipe will be much more comfortable when clenched on. This pipe comes with a handmade maple wood DG tamper, at no extra cost.

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Pipe is stamped: "SB" ~ "08" ~ "97"
Pipe Code: DG083 Price: CHF 340.00   Shape: FF Liverpool Weight: 35g / 1-7/32 oz Chamber ø: 19.5mm  --  Chamber Depth: 41mm  --  Wall Thickness:  8-12mm  --  Cleaner Passes? Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  6
COMMENT: It's always a great pleasure to be able to offer a sandblasted DG pipe in this rare and elegant natural color. This is as natural a finish as they come, since no stain has been applied to the pipe, mainly wax and polishing paste. These pipes darken up so quickly and they simply keep on getting more and more beautiful. I have a couple of them, and watching them color slowly and gracefully always reminds me of the true charm of meerschaum pipes. As is the case of his bamboo-shanked pipes, Gabriele fitted both end of the bamboo extension with a black acrylic extension (or "plug" if you will) to guarantee a perfect fit between the bamboo and the mouthpiece, on one end, and the shank, on the other. In addition, and like all the other DG bamboo pipes, this one does not have any internal tubes of inserts. The shape here is that of the Liverpool, but I add "FF" to the shape definition mainly because the bowl is not as tall as that of the classic Liverpool. The difference between the height of the bowl and the length of the shank is so small that we can even see it as a Freeform Billiard. The blasting of the pipe is definitely among its most attractive features. As you can see from the picture, the blasting has managed to bring out a wonderful array of circular layers, one on top of the other (that is, Crossgrain or Ringblast). As I'm a big fan of both the Liverpool and pipes with a bamboo shank, I'm wondering why on earth I'm trying to sell this pipe! Well, one reason comes to mind: I have to send the kids off to college eventually!! This pipe comes with a handmade maple wood DG tamper, at no extra cost.

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Pipe is stamped: "SB" ~ "08" ~ "98", plus the butterfly
Pipe Code: DG084 Price: CHF 390.00   Shape: Freehand Weight: 46g / 1-5/8 oz Chamber ø: 20.5mm  --  Chamber Depth: 31mm  --  Wall Thickness:  8-12mm  --  Cleaner Passes? Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  3
COMMENT: While there is no doubt in my mind that "Freehand" is the correct and fair definition for this pipe, I have to admit that a "DG Freehand" would be a lot more accurate. The reason I used only "Freehand" is that the other term would require knowledge of the DG pipe making approach and history, and I don't think that would be a fair assumption. What I mean by all that is the fact this is a shape that I find quite representative of Gabriele's work and pipe making tradition. If I saw this pipe from a distance, I would immediately recognize the maker: Gabriele Dal Fiume. The magical touch in the pipe design here is the one you see when you look at the pipe from the top (see first picture, from left, second row). This pipe comes as a nice surprise to me personably and that is for a reason. I know that Gabriele got his hands recently on some of the world's finest Cumberland, and he's been so excited about it. This is the first pipe I get from Gabriele with the new and elegant Cumberland. The mouthpiece you see here was handcut from a rod, which is an approach more associated with Danish, rather than Italian, pipes. Indeed it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see the amount of labor and time that was invested in making the mouthpiece. As I'm very familiar with most of the pipes that Gabriele has made over the years, I'm in a position to make the following statement: I have never, ever see a DG mouthpiece like this one. As you may know, most DG mouthpieces are very small and slender. This one, on the other hand, is quite robust, without any compromise on the elegance. The bit (the part that you clench on) is 5mm (0.20 of an inch) in thickness and 20mm (0.79 of an inch) in width. This means that no matter how strong your teeth are, I don't think you can harm this mouthpiece to any serious degree. Apart from all this, the pipe comes with a very attractive blast that shows the gorgeous grain that it had before it was blasted. This pipe comes with a handmade maple wood DG tamper, at no extra cost.

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Pipe is stamped: "SB" ~ "08" ~ "81", plus the butterfly
Pipe Code: DG085 Price: CHF 390.00   Shape: Oliphant Weight: 55g / 1-15/16 oz Chamber ø: 20mm  --  Chamber Depth: 48mm  --  Wall Thickness:  8-15mm  --  Cleaner Passes? Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  5
COMMENT: I discovered Gabriele's talent in making this modern and very sought-after shape a few years ago, and so I've made him promise to show me any new ones he manages to make. When I saw this one, I told him that I just had to have it. Well, the "Oliphant" has as its basis the idea of the classic elongated Horn (or Zulu) shape, plus a long list of other modern and exciting features. Considering that Gabriele has a more "twisted" appetite for design and a natural talent, this list is longer than with other brand names. Let me point out a few of the features that make this pipe so unique. The bowl shape combines both the round (rounded edges) and the flat (panels), a combination that is not only difficult to execute with precision, but also very hard to find. While the bowl rim reflects the shape of the bowl itself, it also has a mind of its own, and the result is an electric wave that sweeps across it, creating a very pleasing visual effect and a lot more complexity to the shape design. The shank is not only massive, but it takes an oval shape (sort of eye shape), as well. The thinner panel that starts wide at the bowl rim, continues downwards and while doing so, it keeps getting narrower and narrower till it merges into the smooth end of the shank to create yet another complex and elegant visual effect. The tapered, Army-Mount mouthpiece is of a unique shape and it is adorned with a gorgeous maple wood insert. The width of this tapered mouthpiece bit (that part that we clench on) is 19.5mm (0.77"); the fact that it is wide means for some people that the pipe will be much more comfortable when clenched on. Is that all I have to say?! By no means NOT. This comment can never been complete without bringing to your attention the value of this pipe. As you can see, this is not a sandblasted pipe. It's a semi-blasted pipe, but since there is no separate DG grade for semi-blasted, the pipe is being sold as a fully blasted pipe. Does the smooth part of the pipe have poor grain then? On the contrary, that part of the pipe exhibits literally breathtaking Bird's Eye in a very elegant and attractive red-brown-black strain. I can't tell you how proud I am to be offering such incredible value to my customers, yourself of course included. This pipe comes with a handmade maple wood DG tamper, at no extra cost.

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