The Pipes Duca Pipes: Nobile

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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: DP002 Price: CHF 140.00  Convert Shape: FF Brandy Weight: 47g / 1-21/32 oz Chamber ø: 21mm -- Chamber Depth: 38mm -- Wall Thickness: 5-13mm -- Cleaner Passes? Yes

COMMENT: It is quite rare for a pipe to give me reason to use the classic term "Brandy", and I'm quite happy that I have this opportunity now. I know you may disagree, but let me tell you first why I couldn't think of a better shape definition. It all comes down to the wide, round bowl base, and extremely tight, round bowl top. I believe this is the main feature of the classic Brandy shape. Of course, the shape here is not a perfect interpretation of the classic Brandy, and this is mainly due to the "wavy" bowl rim, as well as the general proportions of the bowl top and base. After all, it's more accurate to use "Freeform Brandy" to describe the shape than the elusive term "Freehand", don't you think?! Anyway, the pipe is a beautiful variation of the classic shape, and it offers both familiar as well as unique touches. The color contrast stands out quite a bit, and I love the visual effect it creates. The choice of a classic, tapered mouthpiece is perfect, in my opinion, and it does indeed contribute a lot in delineating the general idea behind the shape design.

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

Pipe Code: DP003 Price: CHF 140.00  Convert Shape: FF Dublin Weight: 38g / 1-11/32 oz Chamber ø: 20mm -- Chamber Depth: 33mm -- Wall Thickness: 11mm -- Cleaner Passes? Yes

COMMENT: I have to admit that till the moment I started to write this comment, I was determined to use the term "Bell" to describe this shape. I don't know what exactly I changed my mind, but now that I'm looking at the pipe under a different (and more technical) light, I think it's more accurate to call it a "Freeform Dublin". There are two reasons why the word "freeform" is absolutely indispensable here: (1) the difference in diameter between the bowl rim and base is a more than you would expect on a classic Dublin, and (2) The bowl is a bit "short" in relation to the bowl diameter, and so we can even call it a "Squat Dublin"! Technically speaking, the pipe is semi-rusticated, due to the fact that both the bowl top and most of the shank is in a smooth, natural finish. The stain in this case is a lot more towards the red than the black, and the resulting color is comparable to dark cherry (or dark red wine, if it sounds more familiar to you)!

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Attention: This is the only "sandblasted" pipe on this page!
Nomenclature:  D Mouthpiece:  Acrylic/Lucite Size:  Dunhill Gr. 3, ca.
Pipe Code: DP005 Price: CHF 160.00  Convert Shape: Dublin Weight: 35g / 1-7/32 oz Chamber ø: 19mm -- Chamber Depth: 38mm -- Wall Thickness: 10mm -- Cleaner Passes? Yes
COMMENT: You might be wondering what a sandblasted pipe is doing in this grade. Let me explain. These, as you know, are the first assortment of Duca pipes I get, and when I met the maker, his grading system didn't distinguish between rusticated and sandblasted pipes. This means, of course, that if you like this pipe and you decide to buy, you might end up having quite a rare and unique Duca pipe for a very low price. Another feature that is worth mentioning here is the very light, natural color of the pipe, which is proof of the excellent quality of the wood used. The blast shows a mixture of grain patterns, including Bird's Eye and Flame Grain. Though the pipe is relatively small, the bowl walls are quite thick; the weight of the pipe is impressively light. The elegant tapered mouthpiece is more certainly the right choice for the shape, and I believe it is very well made and most definitely comfortable to clench one.

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

Pipe Code: DP030 Price: CHF 170.00  Convert Shape: FF Liverpool Weight: 32g / 1-1/8 oz Chamber ø: 19mm -- Chamber Depth: 39mm -- Wall Thickness: 5-10mm -- Cleaner Passes? Yes

COMMENT: As you may have noticed, this is one of the first Duca pipes that come in a completely natural finish, with no stains at all. The attractive finish is the closest to meerschaum, since the pipe keeps getting darker and darker the more you smoke it. This pipe here is a gorgeous little one, and there is no doubt in my mind that the best shape definition is indeed the rare and quite classic Liverpool. The shank is more in length than the bowl is in height, the mouthpiece is tapered (though not a short one), and the bowl shape is that of a classic Billiard. The reason why I had to add the word "Freeform" is the mouthpiece, which is not as short as the one associated with the classic Liverpool. The maker here left the entire shank in a smooth, natural finish, which is an added bonus.

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

Pipe Code: DP031 Price: CHF 170.00  Convert Shape: Billiard Weight: 29g / 1 oz Chamber ø: 20mm -- Chamber Depth: 38mm -- Wall Thickness: 4-9mm -- Cleaner Passes? Yes

COMMENT: As first sight, you may think that the pipe may quality as a Liverpool, but on closer inspection, it does not. The shank is 45mm in length, while the bowl is 45mm in height. I don't know if the maker did this deliberately or by accident, but the result is a truly classic Billiard. As a matter of fact, a truly classic Billiard should have the bowl and the shank equal in height and length, respectively. Both the rim of the bowl and that of the shank are left in smooth, natural finish. The pipe is very light in weight, and the tapered mouthpiece looks quite well made and potentially comfortable to clench on. I'm sure that this would make a great smoking pipe that is easy to carry around and a faithful companion.

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