The Pipes Spanu Pipes: Lemon Wood Pipes

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• Over twenty years ago, Tom Spanu came from his hometown, Sardinia, to Gavirate in northern Italy to learn the secrets of pipe design and making from no less than the master himself, Alberto Paronelli.
• Tommaso continues today to make his pipes completely by hand and according to tradition while implementing his own innovative designs and concepts.
• Spanu is the only pipe maker I know of who regularly, though quite rarely, makes pipes out of lemon wood. Apart from the very attractive and distinctive color of the wood (often like a smoked meerschaum, with grain), these pipes are absolutely wonderful smokers, and I would compare them to briar in their smoking quality (based on personal experience). Unlike other types of wood, they are quite resistant to heat, porous and don't compromise the taste of the tobaccos in any way, shape or form.
• These pipes are stamped:  LIMONE  ("Lemon" in Italian).
• All Spanu pipes are stamped:  Tom Spanu

 

Pipe Code: SP114 Price: CHF 240.00  Convert Shape: Pot Weight: 56g / 1-31/32 oz Chamber ø: 20mm --  Chamber Depth: 41mm --  Wall Thickness: 15mm --  Cleaner Passes?  Yes

COMMENT: This is quite rare for me to describe a pipe shape as a classic Pot with any degree of confidence, and I sure am glad that this pipe gave me that rare opportunity. My decision to describe it as a Pot is based on the fact that the bowl is 46mm in height and 42mm in diameter, which is a pretty solid reason to lead to the Pot definition. What confirms that initial impression is the length of the shank, which is about 40mm, with the briarwood insert included. Add to all this the short, saddle mouthpiece, and you get what we can safely define as a "Nose Warmer". Indeed, the total length of the pipe is about 130mm (5.12 inches), which is short enough to lead to the same conclusion. The pipe is quite light in color, which makes it very difficult for me to show the very fine grain through the pictures. Having said that, I did my best to show the grain, and I hope I succeeded to a decent enough extent. One thing I have to mention is the fact the mouthpiece is not as dark in realty as it is in the pictures; it is of dark-ish honey color, very similar to genuine amber.

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Pipe Code: SP139 Price: CHF 240.00  Convert Shape: "Prune" Weight: 53g / 1-7/8 oz Chamber ø: 21mm --  Chamber Depth: 42mm --  Wall Thickness: 14mm --  Cleaner Passes?  Yes

COMMENT: Considering that I first used that shape definition many years ago, and I have continued to use it whenever I think is the case, you should be familiar with it. I have always believed that the Prune is quite an elegant shape, and this one here is no exception. I find it to be quite simple and down-to-earth, and at the same time, quite elegant and classy. The transparent, amber-like saddle mouthpiece has definitely played a role in giving the pipe design an edge. Here are a few more measurements: (1) Bowl height: 50mm (1.97"), (2) Bowl diameter: 43mm (1.69"), (3) Shank length: 32mm (1.26"), and (4) Overall pipe length: 143mm (5.63").I would compare the tobacco chamber capacity to that of a Dunhill Group 4.

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Pipe Code: SP140 Price: CHF 240.00  Convert Shape: Stack Dublin Weight: 43g / 1-17/32 oz Chamber ø: 19.5mm --  Chamber Depth: 41mm --  Wall Thickness: 9mm --  Cleaner Passes?  Yes

COMMENT: I don't recall ever used a combination of "Dublin" and "Stack" to describe a shape, but I believe with all my mind and heart that this is not only the best way to define the shape we have at hand here, but it is also the most accurate, from a technical point of view. I'd also like to thrown in another important characteristic of this particular shape, which is the evidently slender bowl, as well as the unique saddle-tapered Spanu mouthpiece. What a great-looking pipe this is! Anyway, I'll the pictures do their job, and before I go, let me give you a few more measurements: (1) Bowl height: 49mm (1.93"), (2) Bowl diameter: 36mm (1.42"), (3) Shank length: 44mm (1.73"), and (4) Overall pipe length: 134mm (5.28").I would compare the tobacco chamber capacity to that of a Dunhill Group 3.

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Pipe Code: SP141 Price: CHF 240.00  Convert Shape: Apple Weight: 56g / 1-31/32 oz Chamber ø: 19.5mm --  Chamber Depth: 41mm --  Wall Thickness: 13mm --  Cleaner Passes?  Yes

COMMENT: I know that this is a close call, since the bowl shape could qualify for both a Billiard and an Apple; I opted for the latter, with the dutiful addition of the word "Freeform", simply because the bowl is a bit too round and a touch too short to be closer to a classic Billiard. I know that it's like splitting hairs, but again, that is what I do for a living (not literally! Let me give you few more measurements: (1) Bowl height: 46mm (1.81"), (2) Bowl diameter: 40mm (1.58"), (3) Shank length: 39mm (1.54"), and (4) Overall pipe length: 138mm (5.43").I would compare the tobacco chamber capacity to that of a Dunhill Group 4.

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Pipe Code: SP142 Price: CHF 240.00  Convert Shape: FF Rhodesian Weight: 58g / 2-1/32 oz Chamber ø: 20.5mm --  Chamber Depth: 43mm --  Wall Thickness: 15mm --  Cleaner Passes?  Yes

COMMENT: Every now and then a Rhodesian comes along to remind us all of the innate, intrinsic beauty and elegance of that truly classic shape. I know that some people might argue that this is a Bulldog, but having written a whole article about the subject, I won't discuss it any further or argue. I do insist, though, that there is no doubt in my mind that the best and most accurate definition here is indeed the "Rhodesian". I added the word "Freeform" only to accommodate the few deviations from the classic shape, viewed in its strictest lights. Apart from all the technical stuff, this is a wonderful, beautiful pipe, with lots to brag about! Let me give you few more measurements: (1) Bowl height: 48mm (1.89"), (2) Bowl diameter: 47mm (1.85"), (3) Shank length: 38mm (1.5"), and (4) Overall pipe length: 152mm (5.98").I would compare the tobacco chamber capacity to that of a Dunhill Group 4.

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Pipe Code: SP143 Price: CHF 240.00  Convert Shape: Panel Billiard Weight: 57g / 2oz Chamber ø: 21mm --  Chamber Depth: 41mm --  Wall Thickness: 10-14mm --  Cleaner Passes?  Yes

COMMENT: I can't tell you how happy I am to get to define a shape using those two magical words "Panel" and "Billiard", and that is mainly for the former word. Though a Panel Billiard is a well-established and recognized classic shape, you rarely find it these days. I know that some makers, such as Ashton, continue to make it. I just wish we saw it more often. This pipe here is fabulously elegant, and I personally wish it were straight (so that I could add to my private collection)! Here are few more measurements to help you imagine you have the pipe in your hands: (1) Bowl height: 47.5mm (1.87"), (2) Bowl diameter: 38-41mm (1.5-1.61"), (3) Shank length: 39mm (1.54"), and (4) Overall pipe length: 140mm (5.51").I would compare the tobacco chamber capacity to that of a Dunhill Group 4.

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Pipe Code: SP144 Price: CHF 240.00  Convert Shape: "Egg" Weight: 58g / 2-1/32 oz Chamber ø: 21mm --  Chamber Depth: 44mm --  Wall Thickness: 12mm --  Cleaner Passes?  Yes

COMMENT: You might want to take a different approach to defining the shape here by preferring to use the term "Freeform Apple"; I personally would not mind that at all. I just think that the term "egg" is both intriguing and more expressive in this situation. Notice that Spanu decided to flatted the bowl top, instead of continuing with the basic rounded shape of the rest of the bowl. The thin briarwood shank insert provides a bit of visual transition from the light color of the lemon wood to the transparent, amber-like color of the mouthpiece. Here are a few more measurements: (1) Bowl height: 49mm (1.93"), (2) Bowl diameter: 42mm (1.65"), (3) Shank length: 34mm (1.39"), and (4) Overall pipe length: 137mm (5.39").I would compare the tobacco chamber capacity to that of a Dunhill Group 5.

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Pipe Code: SP145 Price: CHF 240.00  Convert Shape: Oom Paul Weight: 65g / 2-9/32 oz Chamber ø: 20mm --  Chamber Depth: 51mm --  Wall Thickness: ->15mm --  Cleaner Passes?  Yes

COMMENT: Not only is the Oom Paul (or the Hungarian) is one of the most well-established classic shapes, but it also remains one of the most sought-after and regularly produced bent shapes. Of course, finding a well made Oom Paul is not easy, due to the technical difficulty of drilling it and making sure that the air is not obstructed in anyway. Well, you won't believe how easily a cleaner runs though the entire pipe here, with the mouthpiece in place. The mouthpiece is bent to quite an acute angle, and yet, it doesn't obstruct the passage of air (or cleaner in this case) in any way, shape, or form. I also have to point out the difference in diameter between the bowl base and top, which has given this pipe quite a unique look and made it deviate from the ordinary Oom Paul bowl shape. Here are a few more measurements: (1) Bowl height: 53mm (2.1"), (2) Bowl diameter: 35-45mm (1.38-1.77"), (3) Shank length: 34mm (1.39"), and (4) Overall pipe length: 137mm (5.39").I would compare the tobacco chamber capacity to that of a Dunhill Group 6.

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