The Pipes Radice Pipes: Flake (Small) Pipes, Page 2

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Grade: RADICE         Extra nomenclature: None
Pipe Code: RD044 Price: CHF 240.00   Shape: Freeform Lovat Weight: 28g / 1oz Chamber ø: 20.5mm --  Chamber Depth: 33mm  --  Wall Thickness: 9mm  --  Cleaner Passes?  Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  2-3
COMMENT: The only reason why I had to add the word "freeform" to my shape definition is the fact that I find the bowl to be a little short, or, the shank to be a little too long. Apart from that, the shank length and shape, on the one had, and the short saddle mouthpiece, on the other, both make this nothing but a Lovat. This is definitely the smallest pipe on this page. Radice cut that piece of wood in order to get as much Bird's Eye as possible, and it worked. The grain pattern all over the pipe is an elegant mixture of Bird's Eye and Crossgrain. Hey, how often do you see a Group-3 pipe, in a natural finish, with gorgeous grain weighing nothing more than 28g (ONE ounce)! I wonder how I manage to resist adding this pipe to my collection!!

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Grade: RADICE         Extra nomenclature: None
Pipe Code: RD079 Price: CHF 240.00   Shape: Dublin Weight: 31g / 1-3/32 oz Chamber ø: 21mm --  Chamber Depth: 38mm --  Wall Thickness: 7mm -- Cleaner Passes?  Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  3-4
COMMENT: Here's a Dublin that is as classic as they come these days. It's an honest and straightforward shape that speaks volumes of the inherent elegance of classic shapes. It was only logical that Radice would fit the pipe with a tapered mouthpiece, since it enhanced the overall design and guaranteed that the pipe would look as classic as can be. Of course, and as you can see, the pipe's strongest point lies in the grain. It exhibit a blend of stunning Bird's Eye and Crossgrain. You may not notice this from the picture, but the pipe is ever so slightly bent; the bend is so discreet that you can notice it only when you concentrate on the mouthpiece.

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Grade: CLEAR         Extra nomenclature: None
Pipe Code: RD080 Price: CHF 280.00   Shape: Billiard Weight: 38g / 1-11/32 oz Chamber ø: 20mm --  Chamber Depth: 37mm --  Wall Thickness: 9mm -- Cleaner Passes?  Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  4
COMMENT: Here's a classic Billiard that I wouldn't hesitate for a second to show someone who would like to know what a classic Billiard is all about! It clearly shows how elegant the Classic Billiard is. Today, the Billiard is in as much demand as it was in the past. The only difference is that it has suffered so many mutilations over the years, and I often see one describe a pipe as a Billiard when it is clear that it has little in common with the truly established classic Billiard. Of course, it is clear that this pipe's strongest point is the staggering Bird's Eye on the left-hand side of the bowl. In short, what I'm trying to say is that this is one small and magnificent pipe, and if you like it as much as I do, you may consider getting it along with the RD075, which is located on the "Flake Pipes 1" page. Together, these two pipes would make a fabulous Billiard set, in two different finishes.

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Grade: CLEAR         Extra nomenclature: None
Pipe Code: RD081 Price: CHF 280.00   Shape: Freehand Weight: 37g / 1-5/16 oz Chamber ø: 21mm --  Chamber Depth: 37mm --  Wall Thickness: ->14mm -- Cleaner Passes?  Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  3
COMMENT: I know you're probably wondering what is happening to me, considering that I chose to define this shape as a Freehand! I agree that I would have normally described it as something along the lines of "Freeform Bell", "Freeform Rhodesian", or even "Freeform Bulldog". I admit that the pipe has something in common with each of these classic shapes. On the other hand, I believe the pipe has so much more to offer than a couple of words can ever capture, and hence, the decision to go with "Freehand". This is a delightful shape that shows heaps of unique elegance. I love the rather long, round shank and how it joins the rounded bowl base. I also love the acute angles at which the bowl was formed, going up and down, from the single groove around the bowl. The tapered mouthpiece is a perfect fit here, and it is bent just slightly to add more to the aerodynamic looks of the pipe. From the patina of the wood, I can guess that it was made out of a particularly well-aged piece of briar. The grain is a delicate blend of Bird's Eye and Crossgrain. In case you're wondering what that black dot is inside and on the bottom of the tobacco chamber (see second picture, second row, from left to right), it is a trace of the pre-carbonization of the chamber. You see, this pipe was made with the back inside, and since I fell in love with, I asked Radice to remove the black so that I could add it to my site.

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Grade: CLEAR         Extra nomenclature: None
Pipe Code: RD082 Price: CHF 280.00   Shape: Poker Weight: 43g / 1-17/32 oz Chamber ø: 21mm --  Chamber Depth: 42mm --  Wall Thickness: 9mm -- Cleaner Passes?  Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  4
COMMENT: As you may know, a pipe maker who wants to produce a pipe with predominantly Bird's Eye, needs to either buy a special piece of briar or cut one he has in a particular way. The nice thing about this pipe, which I believe followed the latter theory, is that the grain is so well and clearly distributed that it helps us track back the exact way the maker cut the piece of briar. I know this is rather abstract and probably too technical. What I'm trying to say is that the pipe (not only the bowl) shows some magnificent Bird's Eye and Crossgrain. You see this blend, along with a bit of Flame Grain, around the bowl, and on the bowl and shank base, you see nothing but extremely uniform Crossgrain. The shank has two sides showing Bird's Eye, while the upper and lower sides show Crossgrain. I won't comment on the shape, since the pictures show it clearly. I just need to confirm that the pipe can rest on its own on a flat surface with no support, thanks to the flattened bowl-shank base.

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Grade: CLEAR         Extra nomenclature: None
Pipe Code: RD083 Price: CHF 300.00   Shape: Apple Weight: 40g / 1-13/32 oz Chamber ø: 20.5mm --  Chamber Depth: 38mm --  Wall Thickness: 11mm -- Cleaner Passes?  Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  4
COMMENT: Let me tell you why I didn't hesitate for a second to add this pipe to my selection. It brought back fond memories of very old British pipe making traditions. This effect is, of course, based on the fact that the pipe comes with classic Apple bowl, an olive-shaped silver band ("cap"), an Army Mount, and above all, an extra long, tapered mouthpiece. The mouthpiece alone measures 92mm (3.62 inches) in length! The wood exhibits an excellent combination of Bird's Eye and Crossgrain, and it is this same combination that is carried onto the shank. I can safely assume (guessingly) that the pipe was made out of a particularly well-aged and well-seasoned piece of briar. I'm confident that you will manage to see the true charm of this pipe, especially if you appreciate the old traditions of pipe making and styling. This is a one off pipe, and I doubt that we'll see another one like it any time soon. Oh, before I go, I need to tell you that the elegant silver band is stamped:  Radice . In case you're wondering what that black dot is inside and on the bottom of the tobacco chamber (see second picture, second row, from left to right), it is a trace of the pre-carbonization of the chamber. You see, this pipe was made with the back inside, and since I fell in love with, I asked Radice to remove the black so that I could add it to my site.

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