The Pipes Spanu Pipes: Olive 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.
• Tom is probably the most sought-after makers of olivewood (Olivastro) pipes; he uses exclusively the best olivewood that comes out of Sardinia. This is a very hard material to work with, and it is virtually impossible to get the consistently good grain Tom keeps coming up with.
• Besides being very hard, olivewood imparts a subtle aroma and an oiliness to the tobacco. For this reason, these pipes have their dedicated fans.
• These pipes are stamped:  OLIVASTRO  (olive in Italian).
• All Spanu pipes are stamped:  Tom Spanu

 

Pipe Code: SP132 Price: CHF 200.00  Convert Shape: Dublin Weight: 57g / 2oz Chamber ø: 20mm --  Chamber Depth: 40mm  --  Wall Thickness: 11mm --  Cleaner Passes?  Yes

COMMENT: I personally find this pipe quite attractive, and I'm exerting a lot of self-control in order not to fill it and fire it up. This is because it comes in one of my favorite shapes, it's a size that is perfect for pressed tobacco, and it's in olivewood, which I like a lot because rarely find the shape and size I like. What I'm trying to say is that if you and I share more or less the same personal preferences, I recommend that you give this pipe some serious consideration. I would compare the tobacco chamber capacity to that of a Dunhill Group 3.

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Pipe Code: SP133 Price: CHF 200.00  Convert Shape: Freehand Weight: 56g / 1-31/32 oz Chamber ø: 21.5mm --  Chamber Depth: 43mm  --  Wall Thickness: 15mm --  Cleaner Passes?  Yes

COMMENT: I full-heartedly hope that you can see, and understand, why I had to use the term "Freehand" to define this shape. Yes, I do realize that it is possible to push it a little and define the shape along some standard lines, but I simply don't think it would be fair to the pipe (or even accurate, from a technical point of view). I also hope that the pictures managed to show you what this is a unique shape. The tobacco chamber is quite conical in shape, which should facilitate the tobacco combustion. Here are a few more measurements: (1) Bowl height: 49mm (1.93"), (2) Bowl diameter: 47mm (1.85"), (3) Shank length: 35mm (1.38"), and (4) Overall pipe length: 144mm (5.67").I would compare the tobacco chamber capacity to that of a Dunhill Group 4-5.

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Pipe Code: SP134 Price: CHF 200.00  Convert Shape: "Spiral" Weight: 56g / 1-31/32 oz Chamber ø: 21mm --  Chamber Depth: 38mm  --  Wall Thickness: 11mm --  Cleaner Passes?  Yes

COMMENT: I do realize that "spiral" should be describing something, which in this case should be a shape. This is not because I forgot or because I don't have a shape in mind, but simply because the like the intriguing sound of only "spiral". Anyway, I believe that the best way to describe the basic shape of the bowl here is by using the word "Dublin". Of course, there is more to the story; for example, the shank is extra long, which means that pipe has entered a completely different territory. The saddle mouthpiece is not long, but again, it's not short. These last two fact have to bring to mind my beloved Lovat shape! Anyway, I'll the pictures do their job, and before I go, let me give you a few more measurements: (1) Bowl height: 47mm (1.85"), (2) Bowl diameter: 41mm (1.62"), (3) Shank length: 46mm (1.81"), and (4) Overall pipe length: 142mm (5.59").I would compare the tobacco chamber capacity to that of a Dunhill Group 3.

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Pipe Code: SP135 Price: CHF 200.00  Convert Shape: "Prune" Weight: 67g / 2-3/8 oz Chamber ø: 21.5mm --  Chamber Depth: 44mm  --  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: 49.5mm (1.95"), (2) Bowl diameter: 45mm (1.77"), (3) Shank length: 38mm (1.5"), and (4) Overall pipe length: 144mm (5.67").I would compare the tobacco chamber capacity to that of a Dunhill Group 5.

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Pipe Code: SP136 Price: CHF 200.00  Convert Shape: "Egg" Weight: 60g / 2-1/8 oz Chamber ø: 21.5mm --  Chamber Depth: 41mm  --  Wall Thickness: 14mm --  Cleaner Passes?  Yes

COMMENT: Of course, another approach to shape definition in this case could lead to a term such as "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. The comment should clearly include a little reminder of the color of the wood here. As you can see, it's much lighter than most of the olivewood pipes you see here. As far as I know, this cannot be taken to indicate quality (more or less of it, that is). I just think that it is important when it comes to look. I like the grain around the bowl, which is also replicated on the inside, in the tobacco chamber. Here are a few more measurements: (1) Bowl height: 48mm (1.89"), (2) Bowl diameter: 44mm (1.73"), (3) Shank length: 38mm (1.5"), and (4) Overall pipe length: 148mm (5.83").I would compare the tobacco chamber capacity to that of a Dunhill Group 4-5.

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Pipe Code: SP137 Price: CHF 200.00  Convert Shape: Dublin Weight: 69g / 2-7/16 oz Chamber ø: 21.5mm --  Chamber Depth: 43mm  --  Wall Thickness: 11mm --  Cleaner Passes?  Yes

COMMENT: While the pictures should show exactly what there is to show about the shape, I just have to draw your attention to two things: First, the pipe is larger than average, and (2) It comes with a beautiful, transparent, amber-like, saddle mouthpiece. The grain is also quite beautiful and intriguing to look at. Here are a few more measurements: (1) Bowl height: 49mm (1.93"), (2) Bowl diameter: 42mm (1.65"), (3) Shank length: 37mm (1.46"), 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: SP138 Price: CHF 200.00  Convert Shape: Oom Paul Weight: 57g / 2oz Chamber ø: 20mm --  Chamber Depth: 49mm  --  Wall Thickness: ->13mm --  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 beautiful egg-shaped bowl, which makes this pipe even rare than an ordinary, well-made, classic Oom Paul Here are a few more measurements: (1) Bowl height: 56mm (2.21"), (2) Bowl diameter: 44mm (1.73"), (3) Shank length: 43mm (1.69"), and (4) Overall pipe length: 140mm (5.51").I would compare the tobacco chamber capacity to that of a Dunhill Group 6 or beyond.

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