I myself have begun the journey through Italian pipes. I actually technically started years ago when I started smoking a pipe and bought several Savinellis. Comparing them to Stanwell and Peterson, Savinelli definitely seemed better engineered and more consistently good overall. I NEVER had a bad one. On some forums I’ve read that Savinellis have had some sporadic QC recently. I’m not sure how accurate that is. They are also beginning to creep up in price. In any case, I wanted to try the smaller “artisanal” Italian brands. I began with Radice Rind in the light red finish. I then purchased. Geppetto (version 2). Next was a Geppetto (version 1). And today I received my first Moretti. My findings have been interesting:
The Radice (approximately $150 with shipping from Al Pascia) is beautiful , but even when ordering I was concerned about the short pipe length (5.2” which isn’t really that short) but particularly about the short shank (about 3/4”). Sure enough the pipe smokes a bit hot. The shank is also I believe pretty thin-walled and the bowl bottom seems to be as well. Maybe Radice saves money by using small briar blocks (rather than discarding) for small pipes. But don’t get me wrong, it’s a BEAUTIFUL pipe and it is actually getting me to work on my cadence. I would definitely consider purchasing another Radice.
Next up was the Geppetto ($95) (ver 2; apparently the second iteration pipes are a bit lower in overall quality than the first version Geppetto; I got this information from a distributor). This is a terrific pipe! The only issue I had was after smoking a few times the stem got very tight. I had to lightly sand the shank mortise and apply graphite pencil to the tenon. It is now fine.
Geppetto ver 1 ($140). Again a beautiful pipe. Stem and shank fit is perfect. Pipe smokes cool and well. The version 1 pipes apparently use the same briar as the Ser Jacopo which cost much more.
Moretti ($120 plus shipping; direct from Moretti in Italy): a gorgeous pipe with gorgeous grain at a great price with amazing customer service. Arrived in New York in TWO DAYS !! Amazing ! Smokes well and cool.
In future I will try Ser Jacopo, Il Ceppo, Caminetto, Rinaldo, maybe Castello. Maybe Viprati and Amorelli.
My conclusions are this : Savinelli CAN ALWAYS be relied upon for a great pipe with great engineering and good finish. Their grain is variable on smooth pipes but you can always return if you aren’t happy. My issues with Savinelli are mostly perception having to do with the fact that they mass produce so many identical pipes, even though my understanding is that they don’t utilize more than 30 people in their shop. I love some of their shapes and find some utterly boring. I also find their rustication and glossy finish results in what feels like plastic rather than briar wood in the hand.
What I feel the smaller Italian companies give you is more of what feels like a one of a kind creation and rustication that is usually much more interesting and tactile than Savinelli.
In the future I will probably stick to these smaller companies like Moretti, and even consider some estate pipes by Castello.
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I love Lorenzo Freehands, great smokers and inexpensive, they were all a rave in the eighties, well known for the fills but still great smokers, you never saw fills on they're rusticated or sandblasted, your all missing out, if you love a great smoker, pick one up cheap.
