The Pipes Radice Pipes: Clear (Smooth Natural)

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Extra nomenclature: None
Pipe Code: RD036 Price: CHF 300.00  Convert Shape: Freehand Weight: 66g / 2-11/32 oz Chamber ø: 22mm --  Chamber Depth: 42mm  --  Wall Thickness: 14mm  --  Cleaner Passes?  Yes
COMMENT: This pipe design more than deserves the rare description, Freehand. I couldn't find any other way to accurate describe it. The length of the shank, and the way it is bent, would suggest that we have a Hawkbill on our hand, a description I could easily live with, but it would shut out a lot of the important unique touches present here. The pipe has an incredible amount of wood, all over it. The flat shank is a great touch that adds a whole new dimension to the shape design. The elegant, thin silver band (ring) is another fabulous touch, leading to a very well made tapered mouthpiece, bent to perfection.

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Extra nomenclature: None
Pipe Code: RD065 Price: CHF 300.00  Convert Shape: FF Apple Weight: 55g / 1-15/16 oz Chamber ø: 22mm --  Chamber Depth: 41mm --  Wall Thickness: ->14mm --  Cleaner Passes?  Yes
COMMENT: There are two main reasons why I had to add the word "freeform" to my shape definition here. First of all, the shank is much longer than you would expect (49mm or 1.93 inches), considering the height of the bowl (also 49mm or 1.93 inches). Secondly, the bowl shape shows a slight slant forward, which gives the impression that the bowl top is "sliced" at an angle. Radice most definitely made the right decision by selecting a classic, tapered mouthpiece; I think it gives the pipe a true classic style that kind of stands in contrast with the few innovations applied to the bowl and shank. The grain is erratic, but in the most positive of ways. There are different grain patterns at work, and they all seem to fit together surprisingly well. You can see the Flame Grain, the Crossgrain, and the Bird's Eye. The most intriguing part of the grain, in my opinion, is that cluster of excellent Bird's Eye located only at the upper part of the bowl and surrounded by a flow of Flame Grain, from the bowl base to the top, and Crossgrain from the left-hand side of the bowl (look at the pipe from the left-hand side, which is seen in the first picture, first row, from left). I won't be exaggerating to say that this pipe shows some of the most intriguing grain I have EVER seen.

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Extra nomenclature: None
Pipe Code: RD066 Price: CHF 300.00  Convert Shape: Bell Weight: 50g / 1-3/4 oz Chamber ø: 21.5mm --  Chamber Depth: 46mm --  Wall Thickness: ->12mm --  Cleaner Passes?  Yes
COMMENT: This is definitely one of my favorite shapes among this new Radice assortment. The shape is most definitely closest to the Bell, and the proof lies in the measurements. The bowl base has a diameter of about 27mm (1.1 inches), while the diameter of the bowl rim is 43mm (1.69 inches). That marked difference is definitely more representative of the Bell than of the Dublin. The true unique touch here is the two horizontal grooves that Radice added to the bowl top; it kind of automatically brings to mind the Bulldog and the Rhodesian, but the puck stops there. In addition, the shank, while being of an excellent length, is a bit longer than one would normally find (and this is a great plus, as far as I'm concerned). The choice of a classic, tapered mouthpiece is right on, and I wouldn't have chosen any other type (who am I anyway!). Let's move on to nature. The grain is undoubtedly and absolutely gorgeous. Not only are the "veins" straight but they are also extremely tight and close to each other. For a lot of people, this is a fine example of Straight Grain pipes, and I wouldn't argue with them. The only reason why I'm refraining from using the term "Straight Grain" here is that this is an Italian pipe. In other words, I believe that an Italian's well-grained pipe is a non-Italian's Straight Grain pipe (yours faithfully, trying to dodge the bullets ;-)

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