Fills are those little repairs done by pipe carvers (most often on factory pipes) where they putty in flaws in the briar. They can be small, almost invisible, or quite large and quite plentiful. Usually they are the mark of seconds and basket pipes and appear on pipes in the economy price category. One of my pipes that is about thirty five years old now, is likely a Savenelli second but didn't get stamped because of its several conspicuous fills. If you get a pipe with fills that is a good smoker, like this one, there is a certain pleasure in these patches. Obviously, the pipe is a pocket pipe, a beater, an outdoor pipe, but it is also has a great draw, a sleek and lithe shape (straight billiard with a tapered stem) a bit of length, light weight, and a ample medium size bowl, plus good drilling and an easy draw. As a second, it was sold without the Savenelli balsa filter. Despite not being a looker, it is a fine pipe, a good smoker, durable, nicely shaped, and well-maintained. So, here's in praise of fills. It's like a person with a spotty transcript from school who has gone on to do good things with his life, and in fact, better than many, or better than most.