Christmas wasn't quite over at my house. That is, until the UPS van pulled up outside earlier today.
I had been reading good things about Cavicchi pipes, and the maker, Caludio Cavvichi.
His pipes looked good, and I was impressed by what he had to say about the materials he uses, his curing techniques, and the time he spends on details.
When I found an oom paul for a reasonable price, I thought I would give him a try. I'm really glad I did.
When I opened the box I was immediately struck by the quality looks of the pipe. It fit my hand perfectly, and it was very very light weight, implying that the briar was completely cured.
I found something I haven't seen on any other pipe I own. Where the tenon enters the mortise, there is a groove on the bottom. I wondered what this was for.
Upon smoking it, I ran an extra absorbant cleaner down the pipe without any resistance at all, as if the airway was made for this size cleaner.
I don't have the calipers and gauges to measure the diameter of the airway, but I'm sure Rick Newcombe would be pleased with it.
Anyway, I was really impressed with his attention to detail, this being an oom paul shape and all. Not many pipes with the bend that this one has, can accept a regular cleaner without resistance, much less an extra absorbant one.
It smoked great from the start. Cavicchi leaves the tobacco chamber "white" as he calls it. That is, raw. He says that it lets the owner form his own cake without any funny taste, which I appreciate.
So far I am more excited about this little Cavicchi that I have been about any other pipe I have purchased in a long time. My Christmas is complete now.
I had been reading good things about Cavicchi pipes, and the maker, Caludio Cavvichi.
His pipes looked good, and I was impressed by what he had to say about the materials he uses, his curing techniques, and the time he spends on details.
When I found an oom paul for a reasonable price, I thought I would give him a try. I'm really glad I did.
When I opened the box I was immediately struck by the quality looks of the pipe. It fit my hand perfectly, and it was very very light weight, implying that the briar was completely cured.
I found something I haven't seen on any other pipe I own. Where the tenon enters the mortise, there is a groove on the bottom. I wondered what this was for.
Upon smoking it, I ran an extra absorbant cleaner down the pipe without any resistance at all, as if the airway was made for this size cleaner.
I don't have the calipers and gauges to measure the diameter of the airway, but I'm sure Rick Newcombe would be pleased with it.
Anyway, I was really impressed with his attention to detail, this being an oom paul shape and all. Not many pipes with the bend that this one has, can accept a regular cleaner without resistance, much less an extra absorbant one.
It smoked great from the start. Cavicchi leaves the tobacco chamber "white" as he calls it. That is, raw. He says that it lets the owner form his own cake without any funny taste, which I appreciate.
So far I am more excited about this little Cavicchi that I have been about any other pipe I have purchased in a long time. My Christmas is complete now.