This is another sweet, little pipe. The grain is quite intriguing, since it goes in all possible directions, creating a wide range of patterns. For example, you find straight, flame, ring, grain, as well as bird's eye. The pipe is fitted with two special silver rings, one on the mouthpiece and the other on the shank; they both carry a very discreet design, engraved around the edges. The saddle mouthpiece is also special, with 4 panels.
Here's a straight classic Billiard, with a traditional tapered mouthpiece. The blast is gorgeous with excellent Ringblast, and on the right-hand side of the pipe, you see some absolutely magnificent Bird's Eye (see last photo from left). The bowl rim is in a smooth, natural finish, and the pipe comes with a triple band, with natural-finish briar sandwiches between two layers of metal. Mind you, the bands are insert in the mouthpiece, and so the shank is nothing but the wood.
This is the second Mastro De Paja ever that I get to describe as "Volcano", and I'm more than convinced that this is the most accurate and representative term. I could also describe it as a Freeform Brandy, which it is, but as we have a more accurate name, we might as well! I love the tapered shank acrylic insert and how it meets with the very, very unique tapered mouthpiece. It's like a super model's waist line!
I know that there are so many people who love Chubby Billiards, and yet, they are so hard to find. This one here would a dream come true for the Chubby Billiard fans. It has so much going for it and so much that makes it a treasure. For example, and out of 35 new Mastro De Paja pipes added in this update, this is the ONLY one that comes with an amber-like acrylic mouthpiece, and I find it most befitting. The pipe has also been adorned by a double silver band, and the rare Army Mount. The gorgeous blast, particularly on the right-hand side (see last picture from left) shows the fabulous grain that pipe had/has. The blasting job here is nothing short of perfect, and it is also proof of the high quality of the wood used.