Radice Pipes: Collect (Unique Pipes)
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The Pipes Radice Pipes: Collect (Unique Pipes) |
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It is a true pleasure and honor for me to offer you, not one, but two of the pipes that Radice is most proud of. Luigi Radice (the father) was rather reluctant to let me walk away with these two pipes. About a year I go, I went to visit him, and he showed those pipes. There was no way then for him to let me have one of them, let alone both. This time, I managed to talk him into giving me the pleasure of putting them on my site. I gave one reason that he couldn't resist: I told me that he should show the world his incredible talent, passion, and first-class craftsmanship and that such pipes do not and should not belong in a drawer. I would love to hear from you in regard to these two fabulous pieces. I promise that your comments will be forwarded to Radice.
Grade: Collect ~ Finish: Clear
Pipe Code:
RD092
Price:
CHF 1,000.00 Convert
Shape:
Freehand
Weight:
138g / 4-7/8 oz
Chamber ø: ->24mm (0.95") -- Chamber Depth: 53mm (2.1") -- Wall Thickness: ->29mm (1.14") -- Cleaner Passes? Yes
Bowl Height ø: 61mm (2.4") -- Bowl Diameter: 81x60mm (3.2x2.36") -- Total Pipe Length: 197mm (7.76")
An alternative way to view all the pictures of this pipe is: The SlideShow.
Look, I have taken so many pictures of the pipe because I knew that they would do a much better job at conveying its uniqueness than I can ever do with words. I assume that through the pictures you will realize right away how beautiful the pipe is, but I'm not here to talk about its evident beauty. For this reason, I'll limit my comment to a few observations that should help you realize how well-made this pipe is. The flat bowl base allows the pipe to rest on a flat surface without any support; in that position, a new dimension is added to the overall pipe beauty and elegance. The entire shank and mouthpiece are suspended in the air, in that position, which adds a bit of mystic. Another important detail lies in the mouthpiece. In spite of the large size of the pipe, and the consequent weight, the mouthpiece is extremely well made, and I'm ready to bet anything that it would be a pleasure to clench on the pipe, if you so desire. The mouthpiece bit measures 16mm (0.63 of an inch) in width and a staggering 4mm (0.18 of an inch) in thickness. It beats me how Radice managed to achieve this level of comfort on a mouthpiece designed to go with such a massive piece. Now, I'll let you go back to checking out the pictures. [Back to Top]
Grade: Collect ~ Finish: Clear
Pipe Code:
RD093
Price:
CHF 1,200.00 Convert
Shape:
Freehand
Weight:
136g / 4-25/32 oz
Chamber ø: 24.5mm (0.97") -- Chamber Depth: 54mm (2.13") -- Wall Thickness: ->38mm (1.5") -- Cleaner Passes? Yes
Bowl Height ø: 58mm (2.28") -- Bowl Diameter: 82x57mm (3.23x2.24") -- Total Pipe Length: 228mm (8.98")
An alternative way to view all the pictures of this pipe is: The SlideShow.
Before I talk about anything else, I need to remind you that you need to examine the measurements above carefully to get an idea of how LARGE and LONG this pipe is. You see, the pipe comes in this very special and very large Radice presentation case, and yet, the pipe doesn't fit into it. I need to remove the mouthpiece in order to place it in the case. To say that the shape is complex would be an understatement. You see, the bowl has four panels, but they vary in width, height, and above all, in shape. The bowl top is shaped after a wave, which not only complements the design motif of the bowl walls, but to a large extent enhances it. The bowl base is flat, which means that the pipe rests on its own on a flat surface; once you put the pipe in that position, you realize how truly elegant the shape is. A new dimension is added to the overall pipe beauty and elegance, with the entire shank and mouthpiece are suspended in the air. In spite of the large size of the pipe, and the resulting weight, the mouthpiece is extremely well made, and I'm ready to bet you anything that it would be a pleasure to clench on the pipe. The mouthpiece bit measures 16.5mm (0.65 of an inch) in width and a surprising 4.3mm (0.17 of an inch) in thickness. I have to take my hat off to Radice for having been able to achieve this level of comfort on a mouthpiece desigedn to go with such a massive piece. No comment would be complete without talking a bit about the shank; actually, the shank is, in and by itself, worth an entire comment. It is made into a very unique and artistic shape that can be best described as eye-shaped (shown clearly in one of the pictures). A little reminder of the true nature of briarwood lies in the few visible sandpits underneath the bowl. These natural blemishes soon fade away when we look at the fabulous grain, not to speak of the first-class talent, experience, and craftsmanship of the maker, clearly manifested in every detail about this pipe. Radice told how tough and labor-intensive it was to fit that huge piece of antler to the mouthpiece. The job was carried out to perfection. Please take your time and look carefully at the pictures. If what happened to me, happens to you, then the more you look, the more you realize how worthy of the grade "COLLECT" this pipe is. No wonder Radice didn't want to give it away![Back to Top]