A Question About Castellos

[telescopes]

I agree. Sea Rock is a wonderful finish. If I get a second Castello, and I will, it will be another Sea Rock.

Then, I will write a thousand threads about the briar, finish, and the smokability of Castillo.

 

[BigEd]

I agree. Sea Rock is a wonderful finish. If I get a second Castello, and I will, it will be another Sea Rock.

Then, I will write a thousand threads about the briar, finish, and the smokability of Castillo.

My sentiments exactly.

 

[Briar Lee]

I agree. Sea Rock is a wonderful finish. If I get a second Castello, and I will, it will be another Sea Rock.

Then, I will write a thousand threads about the briar, finish, and the smokability of Castillo.

As I understand it, the sea rock is a specific style of hand tooled rustication that mimics a weathered sea rock.

Castello started this style in the late forties. There’s an unsmoked Loyd’s stummel on eBay for $30 in sea rock finish.





But the game is to buy a Castello, not a copy.

In the Sea Rock finish, here’s a Triple G, not a mere k something, for $550.




Am I right the more Ks the better and barons of industry and doctors and lawyers and such buy a G and the more Gs the better?

What makes it rise from a K to a G?

With a Marx they sorta sell by the ounce.

 

[camaguey]

Castello does not offer any filter pipes. On a rare occasion you might be able to find one that has been professionally converted. However ..... any Castello that has been altered decreases in value.

Castellos have a number indicating the number of the "filter" for the pipe. It is a straw like the birghams but thiner. Technically speaking they are not filters. They may absorb some moisture in the shank.

 

[telescopes]

As I understand it, the sea rock is a specific style of hand tooled rustication that mimics a weathered sea rock.

Castello started this style in the late forties. There’s an unsmoked Loyd’s stummel on eBay for $30 in sea rock finish.

View attachment 275036
View attachment 275037


But the game is to buy a Castello, not a copy.

In the Sea Rock finish, here’s a Triple G, not a mere k something, for $550.

View attachment 275040


Am I right the more Ks the better and barons of industry and doctors and lawyers and such buy a G and the more Gs the better?

What makes it rise from a K to a G?

With a Marx they sorta sell by the ounce.

Here's the best price and the best place to go for a Castello.

Castello Sea Rock G Pipe

Castello Sea Rock 'G' - Country of Origin: Italy | Finish: Sandblast | Shape: Calabash | Stem: Lucite | Material: Briar | Dunhill Group Size: 6 | Filter: None | Length: 5.8in. | Bowl Height: 2.7in.

www.iwanries.com

 

[Searock Fan]

Castello does not offer any filter pipes. On a rare occasion you might be able to find one that has been professionally converted. However ..... any Castello that has been altered decreases in value.

I remember back in the 60's, when you bought a new Castello (and Searock was the only finish available in the U.S....and very few of them) that the pipe came with a little paper pouch containing some "filters". There were a piece of hollow reed (a piece or a plant stem of some kind). It was like a tiny soda straw and were designed to slip into the tenon of the stem. They would absorb moisture and would need frequent replacing. I, and everyone else I knew, would just throw them out.

p.s. Right now, by chance, I happen to be smoking a Castello Searock, straight Bulldog with a military bit. I bought it new in 1964, and trust me, it doesn't need a filter.

 

[briarblues]

The G, GG, GGG designation refers strictly to size... G = Giante, GG and GGG increase in size.

Yes, back in the day Castello did include a package of "straws" with each pipe. Not a true " filter" as we compare to the current 6mm or 9mm variety.

As far as best place ...... check this forum sponsor ... Tabbacheria Corti. Email and speak with Luca. If they don't have what you want on their website ..... let him know what you are looking for. Luca visits the Castello workshop on a very regular basis, since Lecco Italy is a short drive to Castello in Cantu.

 

[Briar Lee]

The G, GG, GGG designation refers strictly to size... G = Giante, GG and GGG increase in size.

Yes, back in the day Castello did include a package of "straws" with each pipe. Not a true " filter" as we compare to the current 6mm or 9mm variety.

As far as best place ...... check this forum sponsor ... Tabbacheria Corti. Email and speak with Luca. If they don't have what you want on their website ..... let him know what you are looking for. Luca visits the Castello workshop on a very regular basis, since Lecco Italy is a short drive to Castello in Cantu.

Thank you!

So Triple G is sort of like Marxman Extra Large (over C size Massive). The more Gs the bigger and better.

The Sea Rock is the classic Castello.

I want a GGG Sea Rock.

 

[briarblues]

Correct. GGG is larger than a single G, which is larger than kkkk.

However ..... IF you want something gigantic ..... look at the Big Line series, from Castello.

Big Line - Tabaccheria Corti Lecco - Online Shop

tabaccheriacorti.com

The last Big Line that we brought in weighed in at just over 7 ounces .......

 

[briarblues]

For anyone interested ..... IF you don't mind mediocre video quality, but may be interested in Castello, on the Briar Blues You Tube channel there are two videos showing some of the inner working at the Castello workshop.

In one, at just past the 1 minute mark, you'll see a tobacco chamber being drilled. If you look behind the fellow you'll see a large bin with semi made pipes. Those are all discarded pipes, that either had flaws or something else that came up to make the pipe unusable.

These videos will give you a small taste of what it's like there and all that goes into a Castello pipe.

Since I'm not a forum site sponsor I'll not leave a link, since I do not know if that is acceptable.

 

[dog_park_piper]

it’s interesting that Castello doesn’t get into the market of “Castello Seconds,” that we know of.

 

[AroEnglish]

Since I'm not a forum site sponsor I'll not leave a link, since I do not know if that is acceptable.

I think it’s totally fine since you’re not promoting your store, just sharing information.

I think these are the videos:

 

[briarblues]

it’s interesting that Castello doesn’t get into the market of “Castello Seconds,” that we know of.

If you'd had the chance to read the Castello book, Le pipe, mie figlie, by Franco Coppo, you'll understand the complete and utter passion those at Castello have for their craft. Second is not an acceptable level. It's not about money at all.

To see the twinkle in Franco's eye as you and he, tenderly fondle the pipes available, is like a child's eyes on Christmas morning.

 

[dog_park_piper]

If you'd had the chance to read the Castello book, Le pipe, mie figlie, by Franco Coppo, you'll understand the complete and utter passion those at Castello have for their craft. Second is not an acceptable level. It's not about money at all.

To see the twinkle in Franco's eye as you and he, tenderly fondle the pipes available, is like a child's eyes on Christmas morning.

I have had that book in my Christmas list for some time now. Thanks!

 

[Briar Lee]

(There’s a line in Gone With The Wind where Scarlett says, Oh Rhett I do so want a ring, a great big vulgar one! )

If my Costello cannot exceed this $48 monster which is out for delivery, in all dimensions, I should buy another Marxman (or facsimile thereof).




These, are the best Casetellos I’ve seen yet!




I’m only buying one Castello, at least only one at a time, you know.

 

[OzPiper]

@Briar Lee

All this is just procrastination
Buy one
You know you want to do it

 

[lraisch]

Of the four I have in my collection, two are Sea Rock, one is a Natural Vergin and one is an Old Antiquari. I can't afford the smooth finish pipes.

All of them are superb smokers and yes, I threw away the little reeds. It's true that some of the acrylic stems tend to be a little thick but not so much that they hinder my enjoyment.

If you start posting pictures of the Castellos you get, maybe we won't have to see so many of those Marxmans.

 

[telescopes]

If my Costello cannot exceed this

These, are the best Casetellos I’ve seen yet!

But first you need to decide how you spell it correctly.