The Pipes Duca Pipes: Duca

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• Massimiliano (Max) Rimensi, the maker of the Duca Pipes is a self-taught pipe maker. He loves working with different woods, and his imagination and creativity seem be boundless. As you can see from his models and designs, Max brings a fresh breeze into the Italian pipe market.
  
• All Duca pipes are stamped "Il Duca", "Italy", and the grade (Nobile, Barone, Cavaliere, Conte, and Duca, followed by "D", "DD", or "DDD"). For a complete guide to Duca pipes grading system, please go to: Duca Grading Guide.

 

Nomenclature:  D Mouthpiece:  Acrylic/Lucite Size:  Dunhill Gr. 4, ca.

Pipe Code: DP025 Price: CHF 600.00  Convert Shape: Plateau Bell Weight: 58g / 2-1/32 oz Chamber ø: 21mm -- Chamber Depth: 35mm -- Wall Thickness: ->21mm -- Cleaner Passes? Yes

An alternative way to view all the pictures of this pipe is: The SlideShow.

COMMENT: Due to the limited space assigned to the shape definition, I had to be brief and use the simple term "Plateau Bell". Well, the "bell" idea is here to stay if you consider the difference in diameter between the bowl top and base. The "plateau" is also an undisputable fact, and I have to add that it is quite impressively flawless and uniform. There are, however, a few more facts without which a comment on the shape cannot be complete. First of all, the bowl is not round; it is rather oval in shape. The bowl measures 48mm (1.89") from right to left, and 59mm (2.32"), across from the shank side to the other. The diameter of the bowl base is markedly smaller than that of the bowl top; it measures only about 21mm (0.83 of an inch). In addition, the bowl is slightly canted forward, which is an important part of the overall shape design, and I must admit that this feature has added so much to the general appearance of the pipe. The briarwood shank is basically non-existent, since it is only about 6mm in length (0.24 of an inch). The shank itself is a beautiful, two-knuckle piece of bamboo, which is about 39mm (1.54") in length. Max chose a transparent, amber-like, acrylic, tapered mouthpiece to complete his design, and I must admit that the choice is not short of being perfect. Max also went the extra mile to guarantee the perfect fit and the durability of the tenon-mortise relationship by fitting the mortise with a white, acrylic tube that accommodates the mouthpiece tenon. The pipe comes in a smooth, natural finish, and the grain is more than beautiful. It's a mixture of Straight and Flame Grain around the bowl. Due to the quite small bowl base and to the shape design, the Bird's Eye would normally expect to see on the bowl base is not there, which is actually a very positive thing, since it means that the straightness of the grain continues to almost the base of the bowl. I know that are a lot of people out there, including myself, have a soft spot for pipes with bamboo shanks; if I didn't already have a Duca Liverpool, with a long bamboo shank, I'm sure that I would be puffing on this pipe right now!

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Nomenclature:  D Mouthpiece:  Acrylic/Lucite Size:  Dunhill Gr. 6+, ca.

Pipe Code: DP026 Price: CHF 600.00  Convert Shape: XL Plateau Dublin Weight: 92g / 3-1/4 oz Chamber ø: 19.5mm -- Chamber Depth: 53mm -- Wall Thickness: ->24mm -- Cleaner Passes? Yes

An alternative way to view all the pictures of this pipe is: The SlideShow.

COMMENT: This is anything but an ordinary pipe, and hopefully, I'll manage to tell you why I think so. The bowl shape is actually between the Dublin and the Bell, considering that the difference between the bowl top diameter and the bowl base diameter is a little too large for a Dublin and a little too small for a Bell! Confused?! Well, the confusion doesn't stop there. The bowl shape is not round, but rather distinctly oval. The bowl measures 52mm (2.1"), across from right to left, and 65mm (2.56"), across from the side facing the shank to the other, outer one. There is more. If you look carefully at the side of the bowl that faces the shank, you may notice that it does not mirror the opposite side; in fact, and due to the very round and tight angle between the bowl and the shank, the bowl opens up much wider at that side than at the other. I see that part where the bowl and shank join to be the perfect place to wrap one's thumb around the bowl, a feature that a lot of our fellow pipe smokers appreciate a lot. Another important characteristic is the extra long shank, which measures about 58mm (2.28") in length (as opposed to 62mm or 2.44 inches in bowl height). The surprises continue. The transparent, amber-like, tapered mouthpiece is extra, extra long, measuring not less than 108mm (4.25"); mind you, the double, wood-acrylic insert is part of the mouthpiece and not the shank. The shank itself doesn't have any ornaments. Now to the big shocker: The pipe measures a staggering 229mm (a little over 9 inches) in total length!! I guess that should give us reason to call it Churchwarden. The combination of black, brown, red, and golden has results in a magnificently lively and attractive stain, which brought out the best of the grain. Speaking of the grain, it's mainly Flame Grain, mixed with some Straight Grain, with a tiny cluster of Bird's Eye on the bowl base. Considering the large size of the pipe and its extra length, on the one hand, and the first-class, well-cured briar Max Rimensi uses, on the other, this pipe is a dream come true for a lot of people, especially those who like to enjoy a long, cool smoke.

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Nomenclature:  D Mouthpiece:  Acrylic/Lucite Size:  Dunhill Gr. 2-3, ca.

Pipe Code: DP036 Price: CHF 600.00  Convert Shape: Freehand Weight: 55g / 1-15/16 oz Chamber ø: 20mm -- Chamber Depth: 38mm -- Wall Thickness: 13mm -- Cleaner Passes? Yes

An alternative way to view all the pictures of this pipe is: The SlideShow.

COMMENT: I have to admit that I feel in love with this pipe the second I saw it. I find the shape quite intriguing, and unlike with most pipes, the more I look at it and examine it, the more intriguing to appears to be. This is probably due to the fact that its complexity is embedded in a few seemingly simple touches. An example of this is the acutely slanted bowl shape that in a way assumes the shape of a subtle wave. Another key feature is the concave edges of the shank and the mouthpiece that meet, without touching, in a way that they appear to be protecting that little light-colored insert (which is a part of the mouthpiece, placed around the tenon). I'm pretty sure that the mouthpiece itself took quite a bit of time and effort to produce. Apart of the work and creativity of the maker, we have to also mention the word of nature. The grain is absolutely fabulous Flame Grain that is both uniform and tight all around the bowl, with some undoubtedly stunning Bird's Eye on the bowl top. A final note: though the mouthpiece may appear to be made of Cumberland to the untrained eye, it is of acrylic, which means it will never lose its luster with use.

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Nomenclature:  DD Mouthpiece:  Acrylic/Lucite Size:  Dunhill Gr. 3, ca.

Pipe Code: DP037 Price: CHF 790.00  Convert Shape: Freehand Weight: 61g / 2-5/32 oz Chamber ø: 20mm -- Chamber Depth: 39mm -- Wall Thickness: ->23mm -- Cleaner Passes? Yes

An alternative way to view all the pictures of this pipe is: The SlideShow.

COMMENT: Talk about complicated! This is the kind of shape that usually makes me wonder what was going on in the maker's mind when they decide to make such a shape! Do they actually design the pipe on paper and stick to the design, or do they make it as they go?! I know that both models exist, but it is virtually impossible to decide which approach was applied by simply looking at the finished product. Anyway, whatever led to the production of this pipe is truly appreciated! As it is basically impossible to present a verbal description of the shape, I'll just skip that part and let the pictures do their job. The grain, which should also be clear from the pictures, is a fabulous combination of Flame Grain around the bowl and massive Bird's Eye on the bowl top and the edge of the shank. The yellow, acrylic mouthpiece is tapered in shape, and it comes with a very elegant ring of a different material (I have no idea what it is)! The Army Mount is another beautiful touch that allows both the bowl and shank, on the one hand, and the mouthpiece, on the other, to maintain their identity!

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Nomenclature:  DD Mouthpiece:  Acrylic/Lucite Size:  Dunhill Gr. 6, ca.

Pipe Code: DP038 Price: CHF 790.00  Convert Shape: "Snail" Weight: 100g / 3-17/32 oz Chamber ø: 21mm -- Chamber Depth: 48mm -- Wall Thickness: ->41mm -- Cleaner Passes? Yes

An alternative way to view all the pictures of this pipe is: The SlideShow.

COMMENT: The most peculiar thing about this pipe is the multiple personalities it has. When you look from the left-hand side of the bowl, you see the "snail" motif pretty clearly, but then it is no longer detectable from any other side or angle. As a matter of fact, when you look at the pipe from the other side of the bowl, you see a completely different shape, a shape that is based on the idea of fluted groove that runs vertically on the bowl, with a twist. It is probably only the directionality of those grooves that connects that side to the "snail" side, but you establish that only once you have seen them both. As for the finish, also there, the pipe comes in two different form: smooth and sandblasted. I have seen a few snail-shaped pipes in my life, but I have to admit that this one is quite different particularly in the dimensions. You see, the pipe has so much wood here, and the bowl is staggeringly thick. To make it a little easier to understand, I have to give you a few measurements: the bowl is 48mm in width (1.89"), 75mm (2.95") in depth (across from the side facing the shank), and 68mm (2.68") in height. We can also safely say that the shank is basically non-existent; both bowl and shank are fused (or rather, have never been shaped to stand independently from each other). I love the little metal ring that was fixed to the side of the pipe where the Army Mount mouthpiece is insert. I also believe that the tapered mouthpiece is quite elegant, especially thanks to that light-colored insert. As the pipe is quite heavy, and the mouthpiece delicate, I would recommend holding this pipe in your hand when you're enjoying smoking it; clenching on the pipe could be both risky for your teeth and for the delicate fit of the mouthpiece.

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