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COMMENT:
It's funny how it with pipes. As you may have noticed (!!), I can write quite an extensive comment about what may appear to be a straightforward shape. However, it happens sometimes that when I want to write about a shape that is stunningly complicated and unique, I can hardly find a few sentences that I can write to help you understand the uniqueness of the pipe. When that happens, I try to provide as many pictures as I can; after all, one picture is worth a thousand words. Anyway, I'm trying to say is that I stand in awe of this pipe, so much so that I can hardly think of what to say to do it justice, but I'll try anyway to touch upon a few important aspects. Let me start by repeating what I said earlier about the Scorpion shape.
I did not hesitate for a second to use this pipe's rightful name: Scorpion. I first came across the idea of the Scorpion by viewing (and later selling) pipes by the German pipe maker and carver, Shaabi. I'm not sure whether it was Shaabi who first created the shape, but what I'm sure of at this point in time is that the name has become quite well-known, and several makers either make the shape or at least attempt to make it. I see this pipe here as a revelation and a true testimony to the incredible skill and talent that Max Rimensi possesses. Not only did he manage to make a gorgeous, flawless, complicated Scorpion, but he even came close to the man whom many consider the father and creator of this shape. The only difference in my opinion between this Scorpion and a Shaabi Scorpion is that fact that the former costs a fraction of the price of the latter. I cannot really tell you what makes this pipe a definitive Scorpion shape, since you either see or you don't, and at the end of the day, what you see is what you get. You either love it, as many do, or you hate it. What I think we can agree on is the fact that the shape is extremely, extremely complicated and very labor-intensive and time-consuming to make, let alone make in a smooth, natural finish, out of a flawless piece of well-cured briar. Just imagine how large the piece of wood has to be in order to produce such a pipe.
Let me give you a few measurements to help you grasp the magnitude of this piece:
- The bowl measures 47mm (1.85"), across from one side to the other, and 99mm (3.9"), across from the other side.
- The bowl is 51mm (2") in height.
- The overall length of the pipe is 152mm (5.98").
The reason why this pipe is a whole lot more complicated (almost impossible) to make with level of quality and flawlessness than any other Scorpion, by Max Rimensi or any other maker, is the fact that it is sandblasted. How Max managed to sandblast this pipe, with all the grooves and hidden parts is beyond me. Not only did he manage to sandblast it, but actually the blasting job is remarkable. You can the beautiful Ringblast all around the bowl. The only smooth part, the bowl top, exhibits massive Bird's Eye of the highest quality ever. Moreover, Max fitted the pipe with a transparent, amber-like mouthpiece the Army Mount way. He didn't stop there. He created a piece of the same material and embedded it inside the bowl top to give the general look of a precious stone.
Yes, Massimiliano Rimensi, the maker of Duca pipes, has been making pipes for only a few years, and this is the first time he finds a place in the mainstream, online pipe retail market. However, it is with this pipe that he shows the world that talent, skill, passion, and perseverance can accelerate dramatically the birth of a well-established, respectable pipe maker. This is a pipe that any pipe maker, regardless of nationality, style, or experience would be proud to produce. |
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