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  Convert 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  Convert 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: "SB" ~ "06" ~ "126", plus the butterfly
Pipe Code: DG059 Price: CHF 390.00  Convert Shape: Freeform Cutty Weight: 44g / 1-9/16 oz Chamber ø: 20mm  --  Chamber Depth: 36mm  --  Wall Thickness:  ->15mm  --  Cleaner Passes? Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  3
COMMENT: In all my years as a pipe retailer, I can't remember even once having used the word "Cutty" as a shape definition. To tell you the truth, I had a completely different idea prior to picking up the pipe to write this comment. I was thinking something more along the lines of the "Bell" or "Dublin", but due to that little heel underneath the bowl, I think it is equally possible to go with the Cutty. The pipe is a great combination of innovation and tradition. It has some classic air to it, though it is not easy to grasp it. I absolutely love the "neck" of the bowl, where the bowl and shank meet. The pipe also comes with the elegant Army Mount, and the saddle mouthpiece is, in its own right, quite unique in design. What is even more special is the bowl top. When you first see that, you get the impression that the pipe has a bowl insert. The optical illusion was created simply by not sandblasting the entire bowl rim, letting the eyes play a trick on us. Though the pipe is small in capacity, there is so much wood all around the bowl and shank, which makes it quite a solid smoking instrument, most appreciated by those who prefer smaller pipes without having to compromise on the pipe robustness.

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Pipe is stamped: "SB" ~ "06" ~ "95", plus the butterfly
Pipe Code: DG060 Price: CHF 390.00  Convert Shape: "Cobra" Weight: 52g / 2-27/32 oz Chamber ø: 19.5mm  --  Chamber Depth: 33mm  --  Wall Thickness:  ->17mm  --  Cleaner Passes? Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  3
COMMENT: I hope you can forgive my indulgence this time with the shape definition. Of course, the more common why to describe this shape is by using the word "Freehand", which it is. However, every time I look at that pipe, I find myself thinking of and visualizing the Cobra. This is particularly the case when I look at the pipe upside down (see the picture in the second row, on the right). The shank is the main player in this mental image, thanks to its shape and width. The smooth part of the shank is extremely effective in bringing out the idea behind the design, as well as emphasizing it. The complexity of this shape can only be grasped very slowly and gradually; indeed, the more you look at and around the pipe, the more you realize the endless touches of subtlety and elegance. The mouthpiece, with its complex briarwood insert, is, in and by itself, a manifestation of Dal Fiume's talent and skill.

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Pipe is stamped: "SB" ~ "06" ~ "109", plus the butterfly
Pipe Code: DG061 Price: CHF 390.00  Convert Shape: Blowfish Weight: 64g / 2-1/4 oz Chamber ø: 19.5mm  --  Chamber Depth: 35mm  --  Wall Thickness:  ->21mm  --  Cleaner Passes? Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  3-4
COMMENT: I have great pleasure presenting another example of that very attractive and extremely sought-after modern shape: The Blowfish. I understand that this is one of Gabriele's favorite modern shapes, and whenever he's in the mood of producing something a little more familiar than his very distinctive and unique shapes, he thinks, above all, of the Blowfish. This time, I have to admit, Gabriele surpassed all his previous examples of this shape. As you would expect of a Dal Fiume pipe, this pipe shows so many little touches that make it truly one-of-a-kind. For example, and if you look at the pipe from above, you notice that the width of the bowl is much greater at the bowl-shank juncture than across from it (41mm as opposed to 31mm); this creates a magnificent effect, without, in the least, compromising the basic Blowfish shape. The mouthpiece comes with a rare and elegance horn insert, which is quite labor-intensive to execute. Last, but not least, is the incredible blast Gabriele managed to produce here. The pipe is cut in a way to allow mainly Bird's Eye on both sides, and indeed this is what you see on both sides of the bowl. Bird's Eye is also prevalent on both sides of the shank. Crossgrain seems to be present only on the side of the bowl facing the shank, which means there is MASSIVE Bird's Eye all over the pipe. This pipe, in this shape and blast, and in this price group, presents the best value for the price in the Dal Fiume assortment and more especially, in the pipe market, in general.

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Pipe is stamped: "SB" ~ "07" ~ "93"
Pipe Code: DG065 Price: CHF 340.00  Convert Shape: Billiard Weight: 33g / 1-5/32 oz Chamber ø: 21mm --  Chamber Depth: 45mm --  Wall Thickness:  ->9mm --  Cleaner Passes? Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  5-6
COMMENT: Believe me, it was not easy for me to describe this pipe as a Billiard, being the technical nut I am! You see, ideally, the height of the Billiard bowl should be the same as the length of its shank. This is not the case here. The bowl measures 49mm in height, while the shank is only 45mm long. So, technically speaking, this pipe should be a Stack or a Chimney, not a Billiard, but as the difference between the bowl height and the shank length is minimum, I decided to go with Billiard. Apart from being a classic shape, which is unusual for DG pipes, the pipe also comes with an absolutely gorgeous Ringblast. In addition to this, it's one of the biggest DG pipes I have seen (speaking of the tobacco chamber capacity that is). I find it quite impressive to offer a size bowl capacity on a pipe that is as little as 33g!

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Pipe is stamped: "SB" ~ "07" ~ "46"
Pipe Code: DG066 Price: CHF 340.00  Convert Shape: FF Cherrywood Weight: 42g / 1-15/32 oz Chamber ø: 20mm --  Chamber Depth: 35mm --  Wall Thickness:  ->9mm --  Cleaner Passes? Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  3
COMMENT: I'm absolutely in love with this particular pipe, not only because of the very unusual and intriguing shape, but also for the unique finish. Gabriele has been experimenting with a new array of finishes that combine both rustication and sandblasting, and he's come up with some fascinating and exciting finishes. This pipe shows one of the best of those new finishes, and I can't get enough of looking at it and examining the flow of the grain (check out the Bird's Eye on the bowl base). Though I strongly believe that the basic shape here is the Cherrywood, I have to draw your attention to a few touches that managed to make this pipe the unique one it is. Note, for example, that the bowl is conical and canted forward. While the bowl wall that faces the shank is slope-shaped, the wall across from it is slightly concave. The shank is also slightly tapered, followed by a Fishtail mouthpiece. As you would expect, the pipe can sit on a flat surface on its own, and it looks breathtaking in that position!

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Pipe is stamped: "SB" ~ "07" ~ "93", plus the butterfly
Pipe Code: DG067 Price: CHF 390.00  Convert Shape: Freehand Weight: 43g / 1-17/32 oz Chamber ø: 20mm --  Chamber Depth: 42mm --  Wall Thickness:  ->14mm --  Cleaner Passes? Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  4
COMMENT: When I first saw this pipe, my friend Peter Heeschen sprang to mind. I can probably safely say that this is one of Peter's signature shapes, though Gabriele added his own touch to it. I was thinking of calling the shape a "Freeform Egg", but I just couldn't get myself to do it. I believe that the word Freehand is quite appropriate here. Another shape that came to mind was the classic Cutty, if we consider the canted forward bowl. What I really, really admire about the shaping of this pipe is that the bowl is round all over, with the exception of that line that appears out of the blue and follows through all the way to the shank and then mouthpiece. My most recent DG pipe also comes with a canted forward bowl (much more canted than this one); I generally (and personally) don't like canted bowls, but when I saw that pipe, I fell in love immediately. Now, and only after a month, the pipe has been a favorite. This pipe here comes with an upright tobacco chamber, which limits the effect of the cant almost entirely to appearance and aesthetics.

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Pipe is stamped: "SB" ~ "07" ~ "53", plus the butterfly
Pipe Code: DG068 Price: CHF 390.00  Convert Shape: Oliphant Weight: 44g / 1-9/16 oz Chamber ø: 20mm --  Chamber Depth: 34mm --  Wall Thickness:  ->11mm --  Cleaner Passes? Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  3-4
COMMENT: This pipe should be quite the eye catcher for people who like the classic Horn, the classic Woodstock/Zulu, as well as the fans of the modern Oliphant shape. In my opinion, the fundamental difference between a Horn and an Oliphant is that the bowl of the latter is longer (taller) and the cant on the bowl is much more evident. An Oliphant is a kind of a Horn that has the bowl stretched, elongated, and flattened from the top, to create a flatter transition between the bowl and the shank. What makes this pipe quite unique is the fact that the wall facing the shank has been flattened, leading to a fabulous contrast with the roundedness of the rest of the bowl. To see the great effect of this touch, you need to concentrate on the line that starts at the bowl rim (the upper side of the pipe) and follow it till the button of the mouthpiece. You can see clearly that there is a sandpit inside the pipe; as my policy is never to hide anything and because Dal Fiume doesn't apply "black" to his tobacco chamber, you have the chance to see exactly how the pipe is. The sandpit is very superficial, and after the pipe has been smoked once or twice, it'll become a thing of the past. At that point, you will be the only one who knows it ever existed, which is particular of the intimate relationship between pipe and pipe smoker!

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Pipe is stamped: "SB" ~ "07" ~ "71"
Pipe Code: DG069 Price: CHF 340.00  Convert Shape: Freehand Weight: 37g / 1-5/16 oz Chamber ø: 20mm --  Chamber Depth: 41mm --  Wall Thickness:  ->13mm --  Cleaner Passes? Yes This pipe is comparable in size to a Dunhill Group:  4
COMMENT: When it comes to creativity and innovation in pipe design, I believe this pipe should win a prize. The basic shape of the bowl may appear at first to be that of an egg, but on closer inspection, the picture changes completely. It's thanks to the shape of the bowl and that unique tail-like bowl heel that I saw many wonderful thing!!! Yes, I first saw a fish, then "other things", and then I ended up seeing nothing but a bird. To see what I mean by "bird", you need to look at third picture, from left, first row. Note also that the bowl comes with a very elegant groove that runs from the bowl rim, and down the bowl side, and all the way to the exact middle of the "tail". As if all that was not enough to make the pipe unique, Gabriele decided to fit a two-knuckle bamboo shank. The bamboo is so elegant and slender, measuring a mere 7mm in diameter. The ultimate pencil shank, out of bamboo! Though the blast is not the very deep kind, it managed to bring out the best of the grain, with a beautiful blend of Bird's Eye and Crossgrain. As you can see in the last picture, the heel of the pipe was carefully designed to work at a support for the pipe if you want to put it down. The pipe looks majestic in that position, with the bowl resting and catching its breath, while the shank and mouthpiece are pointing towards the sky, drawing in as much air as possible to cool off the tobacco before you pick it up and resume the pleasure of smoking a DG pipe.

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