This pipe has proven to be an excellent smoker. It feels so natural in my hands, about the size of a large egg. All my Stanwell's are older ones. I don't have any of the ones made in Italy. I will buy more Stanwell's, but will always look for the older estate pipes that have been properly cleaned. I love estate pipes. I imagine the history they must have witnessed while smoking them. I'm the kind of guy that prefers older fishing and hunting equipment too. My favorite shotgun is my father's old Winchester model 12 he bought when he was a teenager. He was born in 1925 so it is quite old. I use it every season. I still use all his old fishing gear too and he's been gone for 7 years. It's a great joy and comfort to me. Too bad he didn't smoke pipes!
