Castello’s Used Briar vs Any Old Estate Briar

[bersekero]

With all due respect Radice is not inexpensive, it's medium priced. The more economical series start from 180-200 euros. A bit more fancier goes for 250 euros and the clear and oil cured for 300+.
Many members here say that they are the best value (quality/price). I have one a it's really good. But I think I'd prefer an estate dunhill for the price of a mid range Radice.

 

[OzPiper]

And yet so many of us have experienced great smoking from a cheap pipe

As have I

 

[didimauw]

Cobs for example! But back to briar, I have had inexpensive briar pipes that smoked very well. Radice,s for example.

Oh.

Thats the top of my price range. Lol What I call an expensive pipe.

🫥

 

[Searock Fan]

For what it's worth... I've been smoking Castello pipes for over 60 years and haven't come across a bad one yet. Properly treated a Castello will give enjoyment for a lifetime.

 

[paulfg]

For what it's worth... I've been smoking Castello pipes for over 60 years and haven't come across a bad one yet. Properly treated a Castello will give enjoyment for a lifetime.

I agree they are nice pipes ,but for me I cant get along with the open draw.I have tried about 5 and sold them all.Give me a Dunhill draw any day.
But then I am used to britwood and Peterson pipes which tend to have a more restricted draw.

 

[OzPiper]

I agree they are nice pipes ,but for me I cant get along with the open draw.I have tried about 5 and sold them all.Give me a Dunhill draw any day.
But then I am used to britwood and Peterson pipes which tend to have a more restricted draw.

I can’t put it better than this.

I have only 2 Castellos - an unsmoked estate from the Carlo Scotti era and a new Bulldog from the Kino era.

While I acknowledge their quality, they are not pipes I reach for often.
I much prefer the more restricted draw of my estate Britwoods

 

[briarblues]

I agree they are nice pipes ,but for me I cant get along with the open draw.I have tried about 5 and sold them all.Give me a Dunhill draw any day.
But then I am used to britwood and Peterson pipes which tend to have a more restricted draw.

This is one of the facets about pipe smoking / collecting I love. Paul prefers a "more restricted" draw, as he finds Castello's "too open", for him. We each have preferences that "work" best, or suit our "style" of packing and puffing.

Paul would hate my Castello's, since I find that most require me to open the air passages to better "suit" my smoking "style / preferences".

 

[bersekero]

I’m starting to think it might just come down to size. Most Dunhills you see around are group 3s or 4s—group 5s are usually priced way too high. Castellos, on the other hand, tend to run in group 4 or 5.
In my rack I’ve got two Castellos that sit somewhere between a group 3 and 4, and four larger ones that I’d call group 5.
The smaller Castellos do have a noticeably tighter draw, pretty close to the Dunhills. With the bigger ones, though, that open draw actually seems to suit them better.
Just a thought.
Seems like a thick pipe cleaner slips into the big Castellos a bit easier — or maybe it’s just me.

 

[Searock Fan]

Personally, I like to get plenty of air and smoke when I suck. I'm thinking of having my Castellos super charged....

 

[paulfg]

I’m starting to think it might just come down to size. Most Dunhills you see around are group 3s or 4s—group 5s are usually priced way too high. Castellos, on the other hand, tend to run in group 4 or 5.
In my rack I’ve got two Castellos that sit somewhere between a group 3 and 4, and four larger ones that I’d call group 5.
The smaller Castellos do have a noticeably tighter draw, pretty close to the Dunhills. With the bigger ones, though, that open draw actually seems to suit them better.
Just a thought.
Seems like a thick pipe cleaner slips into the big Castellos a bit easier — or maybe it’s just me.

you might have a point there,the Castello's I had were larger sizes

 

[Waning Embers]

I can’t put it better than this.

I have only 2 Castellos - an unsmoked estate from the Carlo Scotti era and a new Bulldog from the Kino era.

While I acknowledge their quality, they are not pipes I reach for often.
I much prefer the more restricted draw of my estate Britwoods

I had a Kino Old Antiquari Canadian. Made a nice pocket and work pipe. Captain Black Grape worked very well with the open draw.

 

[Briarcutter]

I find that most require me to open the air passages to better "suit" my smoking "style / preferences".

I'm with you Mike I admire Castellos pipes but the ones I've smoked were not what I'd call "open" draws.

 

[bersekero]

Also, many former cigarette smokers may prefer a tighter draw. At least, this is the case for many vapers, so that vaping resembles smoking a cigarette more closely.