The Pipes Cavicchi: Small, Flake Pipes, P.1

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I use the term "Flake Pipes" to refer to pipes that have a tobacco chamber capacity comparable to a Dunhill Group 1-4. I personally believe that pipes within that size range are ideal to smoke pressed tobaccos (such as flakes) in. This does not mean that they're not appropriate for other kinds of tobacco. In my opinion, if you smoke a regular mixture in a small pipe, you end up having a very short smoke, whereas a pressed tobacco usually lasts for over an hour in a Dunhill Group 3-4. The above is by no means a rule. It all depends on the smoking style and preferences of the individual pipe smoker.

 

Rusticated ©
Pipe Code: CV518-R Price: CHF 165.00  Convert Shape: Billiard Weight: 37g / 1-5/16 oz Chamberø: 19mm -- Chamber Depth: 38mm -- Wall Thickness: 8mm -- Cleaner Passes?Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  3
COMMENT: We, pipe smokers and collectors, have been bombarded over the past years with never-ending freehand and freeform pipes, and we continue to be impressed with them and we continue to seek them out. Makers also continue to squeeze their brains out and wade through the waters of their creativity ever more rigorously and relentless in order to always offer new and innovative shapes. However, every now and then, you see a Billiard, which is the father of all classic shapes, and you sigh, a sigh of admiration, an indication of the end to a race and a time for some time out. It is at a moment like that that we stop running around in a frenzy; we take a deep breath and say "THIS IS BEAUTIFUL!" But wait a minute, it's only a Billiard. "Yeah, and that is why it is beautiful!" Enough said!

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Rusticated ©
Pipe Code: CV535 Price: CHF 165.00  Convert Shape: Pot Weight: 38g / 1-11/32 oz Chamberø: 18.5mm -- Chamber Depth: 35mm -- Wall Thickness: 10mm -- Cleaner Passes?Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  3
COMMENT: Though the Pot is one of the most classic and well-established shapes, you rarely see it these days. In most cases what seems to be vaguely akin to the Pot is nothing more than a Billiard gone wrong or an inaccurate reproduction/design of the Pot (the latter being a euphemism)! The pipe we have here was intended to be a Pot, was executed to be a Pot, and at the end the final product is a Pot. The bowl measures 37mm (1.46") in diameter and 43mm (1.69") in height; the shank is 37mm long, which matches perfectly the bowl diameter. The pipe comes with a full-size saddle mouthpiece which goes from a width of 15.5mm (0.61"), a the shank-bowl joint, to 17.5mm (0.69") at the mouthpiece button.

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Rusticated ©
Pipe Code: CV536 Price: CHF 165.00  Convert Shape: FF Apple Weight: 41g / 1-7/16 oz Chamberø: 18.5mm -- Chamber Depth: 36mm -- Wall Thickness: 13mm -- Cleaner Passes?Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  3
COMMENT: If we concentrate only on the bowl shape, then the pipe undoubtedly a classic Apple shape. The deviation from that definition is mainly due to the extra long shank, which at the end leads to a total length from the bowl-shank joint to the tip of the mouthpiece of about 108mm (4.25"), which is quite a lot, considering that the bowl is 43.5mm (1.71") tall. The Fishtail mouthpiece is bent to the perfect degree, at the right angle, to produce the highest level of balance and comfort. The pipe looks and feels quite special, and I'm confident that it will soon find a cosy home.

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Rusticated ©
Pipe Code: CV537 Price: CHF 165.00  Convert Shape: Canadian Weight: 33g / 1-5/32 oz Chamberø: 18.5mm -- Chamber Depth: 40mm -- Wall Thickness: 8mm -- Cleaner Passes?Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  4
COMMENT: What an absolutely beautiful pipe! You may know that the Canadian is one of my favorite shapes, but there is no doubt in my mind that anyone, regardless of their favorite shapes, would appreciate the elegance of this shape! If I had to choose a pipe that best illustrates the classic Canadian, this would be the one. The bowl measures 34mm (1.34") in diameter and 46mm (1.81") in height, while the oval shank is 72mm (2.84") in length. The short, tapered mouthpiece is as well-made and comfortable as you would expect from Claudio Cavicchi, an experienced pipe smoker who has always been in love with long-shanked pipes.

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Rusticated ©©
Pipe Code: CV538 Price: CHF 185.00  Convert Shape: Tomato-Lovat Weight: 46g / 1-5/8 oz Chamberø: 18.5mm -- Chamber Depth: 31mm -- Wall Thickness: 15mm -- Cleaner Passes?Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  2
COMMENT: There's a whole story to this pipe, and though it will sound like I'm bragging, I'll tell you anyway. Claudio came to visit me recently to show me his latest creations, and while we're talking, I told him about this shape I've had in mind for many years: A perfectly shaped Lovat, but with the bowl of the Tomato, all in a small, compact size and proportionate. Claudio listened carefully, asked many questions, but made no comments. A couple of weeks later, I received this pipe. Of course, and considering he made it for me personally, I was going to fire it up; however, I decided to call Claudio to thank him and compliments him. He told me that once he'd made that pipe, he fell in love with that shape and that in the meantime, he had made a few more in different finishes. That prompted me to control my urges and offer you this pipe here; I also made sure that he promised to make me a substitute in the same finish and grade. In other words, the pipe you see here is the VERY FIRST ONE to ever be made, and it comes to you, thanks to lots and lots of self-control on my part! I know I've said enough, but let me give you some more measurements. The bowl is 47mm (1.85") in diameter and 38mm (1.5") in height, while the shank is 61mm (2.4") in length. The total length of the pipe and mouthpiece is about 149mm (5.87").

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Rusticated ©©
Pipe Code: CV539 Price: CHF 185.00  Convert Shape: FF Stack Weight: 41g / 1-7/16 oz Chamberø: 19mm -- Chamber Depth: 40mm -- Wall Thickness: 10mm -- Cleaner Passes?Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  4
COMMENT: I have to admit that I was very, very tempted to define the shape as a "Freehand". Though the pipe is more than worthy of being described as a "Freehand", and for the sake of accuracy, I have decided to take the main feature of the shape design and run with it. The main feature I'm talking about is the bowl being more in height than the shank is in length, which is the idea, in my opinion, behind the Stack (or Chimney). In this case, the bowl measures 46mm (1.81") in height, while the shank measures only 35mm (1.38 inches) in length. If you concentrate on the pure shape of the bowl, then several other shapes may come to mind, primarily the "Barrel". Another graceful touch here is the shape of the bowl base, which is rounded a lot more than you would expect, offering a large bowl base. The lines around the bowl base are carried onto the shank, delineating the shank base. Thanks to this feature, the pipe can sit on it own on a flat surface without support (except for that of the mouthpiece tip). While this is not really a new shape for Cavicchi, it has proved to be one of the most popular over the years; each time, Claudio reproduces this shape, he makes a few changes, which means that though this pipe is not a new shape, it's unique in its own way.

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Rusticated ©©
Pipe Code: CV540 Price: CHF 185.00  Convert Shape: "Prune" Weight: 40g / 1-13/32 oz Chamberø: 18.5mm -- Chamber Depth: 39mm -- Wall Thickness: 10mm -- Cleaner Passes?Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  4
COMMENT: This is one of the most elegant shapes that I managed to bring you with this Cavicchi assortment. It's true that it is not the first time Claudio makes this shape, but as far as I can remember, this may be the first time we have it in rusticated, 2C, Flake Pipe size, and I have to admit that it absolutely and impressively elegant! I used the word "Prune" as a shape definition for lack of a more accurate term; you may want to call is a Freeform Horn or even a Freehand, and in either case, I will not argue. What I believe is a major cause for the elegance of this pipe, and its uniqueness, is the combination of often contrasting shapes: the rounded, the oval, and the conical of the bowl, the pyramid-like of the shank, and the flat of the mouthpiece base; the result of this combination is quite an unusual shape that, notwithstanding this fact, seems to be almost "instinctive" and "ordinary" in its simplicity. The elaborate Army Mount mouthpiece is an important element in the overall appeal of the shape. No comment would be complete without mentioning the elegance olivewood insert that Claudio added to the shank, with a discreet visual divider, which is the thin, black acrylic insert that stands between the two types of wood, making sure they do not get confused in the untrained eye.BR>A tip: You can get both this pipe and the CV555 in the Smooth 4C grade and get yourself one heck of a two-pipe set.

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