The Pipes Cavicchi: Small, Flake Pipes, P.3

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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.

 

Smooth ©©©
Pipe Code: CV393 Price: CHF 340.00  Convert Shape: Freeform Dublin Weight: 51g / 1-13/16 oz Chamber ø: 21mm  --  Chamber Depth: 43mm  --  Wall Thickness:  ->10.5mm  --  Cleaner Passes? Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  4
COMMENT: It is definitely accurate to describe the basic shape here as a Dublin. However, the shape is a very, very close cousin of the Hungarian (Oom Paul) thanks to the acute curve on the shank, which stands almost parallel to the bowl. I don't recall ever seeing a Cavicchi in this shape. When I asked him to make a selection of Flake Pipes for my site, he worked hard on offering as much variety as possible, and his efforts paid off big time. The grain of the pipe is excellent, with some exceptional Bird's Eye on the bowl top. I know a lot of people who have a definite preference for "compact" pipes, pipes that they can clench on with ease and in comfort, pipes that would fit their faces in the most discrete way, and pipes that can be easily kept in one's pocket without taking much room. This pipes meets all those criteria and more.

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Smooth ©©©
Pipe Code: CV531 Price: CHF 375.00  Convert Shape: Cherrywood Weight: 32g / 1-1/8 oz Chamber ø: 19mm -- Chamber Depth: 38mm -- Wall Thickness: 7mm -- Cleaner Passes?Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  4
COMMENT: This has been a steady and a favorite shape of Claudio's over the past few years, which, in my opinion, makes it one of very few pipe makers in the world who produce this elegant shape with regularity. The true elegance of the shape is at its best when you place it on a flat surface. Only from that position can one have a collective view of the small, yet significant, details, such as the canted bowl, the slightly conical shank, and the tapered mouthpiece which seems to be running away from the rest of the pipe (the opposite direction in which the bowl is going)! This particular pipe differs from any other Cherrywood Cavicchi I have ever offered due to the slanted bowl base; in fact, it is thanks to that little touch that the shape is as close as it gets to the classic Cherrywood (not that the Cherrywood is a classic shape, mind you)! This is a beautiful pipe, of a good size, and with good grain; it's the kind of pipe you will grab and put in your pocket and enjoy when you get a chance.

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Smooth ©©©
Pipe Code: CV550 Price: CHF 375.00  Convert Shape: Canadian Weight: 40g / 1-13/32 oz Chamber ø: 18mm -- Chamber Depth: 39mm -- Wall Thickness: 9mm -- Cleaner Passes?Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  4
COMMENT: If you read my article on Cavicchi ("A Different Harvest"), you would know that long-shanked pipes, such as the Canadian and the Lovat, are among Claudio's most challenging and favorite shapes. His decision to make such a pipe starts when he's selecting his briar, since only specially cut pieces are suitable for the long-shanked pipes Cavicchi makes. This is clear in the fact that you never see a half-hearted Canadian or Lovat; they're usually as the book says and in a lot of cases, even better and more impressive (and here I'm thinking mainly of the bowl size and length of the shank). Here's a Cavicchi Canadian that is a dream come true for the lovers of this shape. Not only it is in a size that doesn't come often from Cavicchi, i.e. Flake Pipe, but it is also so special, thanks to both the extra length of the shank and the gorgeous grain. The shank measures 72mm (2.84") in length, and the overall length of the pipe is an impressive 148mm (5.83"). The bowl is 34mm (1.34") in diameter and 47mm (1.85") in length. The pipe both looks and feels so well balanced and so elegance and graceful, and judging by the consistently high smoking quality of Cavicchi pipes, I believe this will become a favorite pipe. The grain is as good as can be found on a 3C pipe, and in my opinion, this is a pipe that I would personally grade as a 4C, for both the grain quality and the lack of visible sandpits.

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Smooth ©©©
Pipe Code: CV551 Price: CHF 375.00  Convert Shape: Bent Billiard Weight: 40g / 1-13/32 oz Chamber ø: 18mm -- Chamber Depth: 39mm -- Wall Thickness: 9mm -- Cleaner Passes?Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  3-4
COMMENT: I love Billiards, but I do not smoke bent pipe. If you think that in this case, the latter fact overwhelms the former, you're wrong. I absolutely love this pipe. As a matter of fact, it is when I see pipes like this one that I regret not being able to smoke bent pipes. For some reason, and in the mind of most non-pipe-smoking people, a pipe is bent! Anyway, I strongly believe that most of the gracefulness of this pipe stems from the combination of the slender bowl shape and the incredibly elegance tapered mouthpiece. The wooden insert you see on the shank is first-time addition to the Cavicchi accessories; it is made of Tulip Wood, and it shows fabulous grain. In addition, this is one of the cases when the mouthpiece has a very crucial role to play in the overall feel and look of a pipe. In addition to the classic Army Mount, this mouthpiece has a diameter of a mere 11.5mm (0.45"), which is quite rare, particularly when we're talking about Cavicchi. The Fishtail mouthpiece then grows in diameter till it reaches a width of 16mm (0.63") right behind the button. We're talking about a smooth Cavicchi, with a rare Tulip wood insert, with incredibly good grain, and that weighs a mere 40g! I bet you anything that a few years back, Claudio himself would have never imagined being able to make such a pipe! A tip: You can get both this pipe and the CV557 below and get yourself one heck of a two-pipe set.

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Smooth ©©©
Pipe Code: CV552 Price: CHF 375.00  Convert Shape: Dublin-Lovat Weight: 36g / 1-9/32 oz Chamber ø: 19mm -- Chamber Depth: 42mm -- Wall Thickness: 10mm -- Cleaner Passes?Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  4
COMMENT: My favorite shape is the Lovat and one of my favorite bowl shape is the Dublin. This tells you what kind of comment I'm about to write here. I just LOVE this shape, and if I didn't have a couple in my collection, believe me, you wouldn't be looking at this pipe now. I know it's unprofessional, but hey, I, too, am human! Anyway, if you read my article on Cavicchi ("A Different Harvest"), you would know that long-shanked pipes, such as the Canadian and the Lovat, are among Claudio's most challenging and favorite shapes. His decision to make such a pipe starts when he's selecting his briar, since only specially cut pieces are suitable for the long-shanked pipes Cavicchi makes. This is clear in the fact that you never see a half-hearted Canadian or Lovat; they're usually as the book says and in a lot of cases, even better and more impressive (and here I'm thinking mainly of the bowl size and length of the shank). Here's a Cavicchi Canadian that is a dream come true for the lovers of this shape. Not only it is in a size that doesn't come often from Cavicchi, i.e. Flake Pipe, but it is also so special, thanks to both the extra length of the shank and the gorgeous grain. The shank measures 68mm (2.68") in length, and the overall length of the pipe is an impressive 147mm (5.79"). The bowl is 40mm (1.58") in diameter and 50mm (1.97") in height. The pipe both looks and feels so well balanced and so elegance and graceful, and judging by the consistently high smoking quality of Cavicchi pipes, I believe this will become a favorite pipe

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Smooth ©©©
Pipe Code: CV553 Price: CHF 375.00  Convert Shape: Freehand Weight: 42g / 1-15/32 oz Chamber ø: 18mm -- Chamber Depth: 36mm -- Wall Thickness: 12mm -- Cleaner Passes?Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  3
COMMENT: There is not doubt in my mind that the only way to define this shape is by using the term "Freehand". AND, this is not considered a Freehand only for Claudio Cavicchi who is known to favor classic and freeform shapes; it's a Freehand as far as pipe making in general is concerned. This shape is so revolutionary for Claudio that he was not sure it would be welcomed by his fans. For this reason, Claudio came to visit me some time ago to show me shapes he had been experimenting with, and he needed to know what I thought of them before he made them available to you. Well, this was one of those shapes and among the most innovative and impressive, and as soon as I saw it, I told him that he had just produced a shape that not only would be appreciated by his customers but also that it would stay with us for years to come. The pipe shape is quite unusual for Cavicchi, and I hope you see why. The extra pictures are meant to tell you what I can't express through words. Just please examine them carefully just to get a general impression of the beauty and complexity of the shape. By the way, that elegant shank insert is made of very well-grained Cocobolo wood, which is one of Cavicchi's latest insert materials. Also, the mouthpiece comes in the old-fashioned Army Mount way. As for the grain, I hope the pictures do their job and show you how impressive it is. If you decide to buy this pipe, I assure you, you will be getting the very, very first one in this shape to ever be produced.

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Smooth ©©©
Pipe Code: CV554 Price: CHF 375.00  Convert Shape: Wheel Weight: 55g / 1-15/16 oz Chamber ø: 18mm -- Chamber Depth: 38mm -- Wall Thickness: 11-15mm -- Cleaner Passes?Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  3-4
COMMENT: "Wheel" is, as far as I'm concerned, a strange term that I use to describe a Freehand that is actually, slightly definable. You see, when you hear the word "Freehand", you have no idea what to expect, but when you hear the word "Wheel", you know that it is not a standard or established or common shape that is ROUND! If you agree with this reasoning, then you might appreciate the use of the term "wheel" as strange as it may sound. This shape is so unusual for Claudio that he was not sure it would be welcomed by his fans. For this reason, Claudio came to visit me some time ago to show me shapes he had been experimenting with, and he needed to know what I thought of them before he made them available to you. Well, this was one of those shapes and among the most innovative and impressive, and as soon as I saw it, I told him that he had just produced a shape that not only would be appreciated by his customers but also that it would stay with us for years to come. The pipe shape is quite unusual for Cavicchi, and I hope you see why. The extra pictures are meant to tell you what I can't express through words. Just please examine them carefully just to get a general impression of the beauty and complexity of the shape. I just love the contrast there is between the roundedness of the bowl shape and the dome-like shape of the shank. By the way, that elegant shank insert is made of Tulip Wood, which shows fabulous grain akin to Bird's Eye on briar, and the saddle mouthpiece comes in an elaborate shape and in the old-fashioned Army Mount way. As for the grain, I hope the pictures do their job and show you how impressive it is. Finally, and thanks to the flattend bowl and shank base, the pipe can sit on its own without any support, and I have to admit that it look fabulous in that position, and the mouthpiece and most of the shank suspended in the air. Quite a sight! A tip: You can get both this pipe and the CV549 in the 2C grade and get yourself one heck of a two-pipe set.

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Smooth ©©©©
Pipe Code: CV555 Price: CHF 440.00  Convert Shape: "Prune" Weight: 43g / 1-17/32 oz Chamber ø: 18mm -- Chamber Depth: 41mm -- 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 smooth, 4C, 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 eleganct Red Palm Wood 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. A tip: You can get both this pipe and the CV540 in the Rusticated 2C grade and get yourself one heck of a two-pipe set.

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Smooth ©©©©
Pipe Code: CV556 Price: CHF 440.00  Convert Shape: Pickaxe Weight: 41g / 1-7/16 oz Chamber ø: 18mm -- Chamber Depth: 42mm -- Wall Thickness: 10mm -- Cleaner Passes?Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  4
COMMENT: If I remember correctly, I first used the term "Pickaxe" back in 1999 to describe a Moretti pipe. As far as I know, I was the first to use the term, and many people then frowned upon it. Today I see that not only has the term been accepted by the pipe community, but it has become so popular, as well. I'm trying to say is that finally I have gotten an opportunity to use the exciting shape name, "Pickaxe". Of course, I would have never expected to use it to describe a Cavicchi shape, which makes the occasion a whole lot more special! This shape is so revolutionary for Claudio that he was not sure it would be welcomed by his fans. For this reason, Claudio came to visit me some time ago to show me shapes he had been experimenting with, and he needed to know what I thought of them before he made them available to you. Well, this was one of those shapes and among the most innovative and impressive, and as soon as I saw it, I told him that he had just produced a shape that not only would be appreciated by his customers but also that it would stay with us for years to come. The pipe shape is quite unusual for Cavicchi, and I hope you see why. The extra pictures are meant to tell you what I can't express through words. Just please examine them carefully just to get a general impression of the beauty and complexity of the shape as well as the breathtaking quality of the grain. By the way, that elegant shank insert is made of Red Palm Wood, and the tapered mouthpiece comes in an elaborate shape and in the old-fashioned Army Mount way. A tip: You can get both this pipe and the CV548 in the Smooth 2C grade and get yourself one heck of a two-pipe set.

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Smooth ©©©©
Pipe Code: CV557 Price: CHF 470.00  Convert Shape: Bent Billiard Weight: 36g / 1-9/32 oz Chamber ø: 18mm -- Chamber Depth: 39mm -- Wall Thickness: 9mm -- Cleaner Passes?Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  4
COMMENT: I love Billiards, but I do not smoke bent pipe. If you think that in this case, the latter fact overwhelms the former, you're wrong. I absolutely love this pipe. As a matter of fact, it is when I see pipes like this one that I regret not being able to smoke bent pipes. For some reason, and in the mind of most non-pipe-smoking people, a pipe is bent! Anyway, I strongly believe that most of the gracefulness of this pipe stems from the combination of the slender bowl shape, the tapered diamond-shaped shank, and the elegant saddle mouthpiece. The wooden insert you see on the shank is first-time addition to the Cavicchi accessories; it is made of Pink Ivory Wood, and it adds such a beautiful touch to the overall pipe design. In addition, this is one of the cases when the mouthpiece has a very crucial role to play in the overall feel and look of a pipe. In addition to the classic Army Mount, this mouthpiece is ornamented with a thick 925 silver band, which is part of the outer part of the mouthpiece. In other words, the part that is actually inserted into the shank is the black acrylic tenon. Making such a perfect fit between shank and mouthpiece is testimony to Cavicchi's exceptional skills and attention to detail, as well as decades of pipe making experience. Before I leave the mouthpiece, I'd like to confirm that it is of the Fishtail style and it grows in width till it reaches 17mm (0.67") right behind the button. We're talking about a smooth Cavicchi Billiard, with a rare Pink Ivory Wood insert, with incredibly good grain, and that weighs a mere 36g! I bet you anything that a few years back, Claudio himself would have never imagined being able to make such a pipe! A tip: You can get both this pipe and the CV551 above and get yourself one heck of a two-pipe set.

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