Castello pipe

[allan]

Just received my new (estate) Costello bent pipe. Although the bowl is larger than the other Dunhill's I have it feels great in my hand and in my mouth.

Tried a bowl late this afternoon through my ride home and it smokes wonderfully.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/39k2w6hwgorp8lw/IMG_00001.jpg

https://www.dropbox.com/s/80y8pbjn6tpte70/IMG_00002.jpg
Allan

 

[robertleslie]

Beautiful. I bet she is a smoker. I want one

 

[captainsousie]

That is one beauty of a pipe.

 

[allan]

Gee,I didn't know it was lucite. How does one tell lucite vs. Vulcanite?
allan

 

[mthanded]

That's a really nice looking grain on that pipe and I like the shape. Good purchase!

 

[bobpnm]

Beautiful pipe Allan! Way to go!

 

[dnietosi]

Never had a Costello but it looks beautiful!

 

[cleidophoros]

Gee,I didn't know it was lucite. How does one tell lucite vs. Vulcanite?

Vulcanite is black, lucite is not. Vulcanite feels softer to touch, lucite is like hard plastic.

Your pipe's stem has some white spots on it in the first photo but I think it is vulcanite and those white spots are dust or something?

 

[ssjones]

A "Castello" grade Castello, great choice! I love the briar military stem trim and the 4K size, just right! While I prefer vulcanite myself, my Castello stems have a certain appeal as well. Enjoy that one!

 

[allan]

White spots are just light reflections-the stem is solid black.
Are Castello's known for lucite stems? I have Dunhills which have (I guess) vulcanite stems, and really I'm not sure how to tell the difference?
thanks for the kind words, everyone
Allan

 

[cleidophoros]

I don't really know of a single Castello pipe with a vulcanite stem.

If the stem has an inlaid white bit it's lucite. Otherwise it might be a replacement stem.

Vulcanite is a softer material. If you have another pipe do compare the lucite and vulcanite stems; you will understand the difference.

 

[peckinpahhombre]

Unless I am out to lunch, black stems can be made out of lucite.
Truth be told, I can't tell any difference between lucite and vulcanite in terms of feel. Granted, I am a clencher and so I use the soft rubber things to protect the stem which probably makes me insensitive to the difference, but I certainly have seen many black stems that must be lucite. Frankly, given the maintenance issues with vulcanite, I would probably choose lucite, all other things being equal. Just my view.

 

[cleidophoros]

Unless I am out to lunch, black stems can be made out of lucite.

Yes you are right, my bad.

Truth be told, I can't tell any difference between lucite and vulcanite in terms of feel. Granted, I am a clencher and so I use the soft rubber things

Take that off and you will be able to tell the difference.
I like the feel of vulcanite stems myself.

 

[captainsousie]

I may be weird but I can usually tell the difference between the two by smell, especially after any sort of cleaning involving alcohol. I much prefer the smell of vulcanite but they both feel fine to me. I don't find it to be a deal breaker if it doesn't have my preferred stem material.

 

[pipedreamer]

Thats a nice looking pipe. Enjoy!

 

[cigrmaster]

Allan, glad to hear you like the pipe. Castello only uses acrylic stems. If you put your Rad Davis in your mouth and then the Castello, you can tell instantly, the Rad will be way softer.

 

[allan]

You know, I've never really noticed or took special notice of the stem 'feel' between the Dunhill's and other pipes. I am assuming my Dunhill's have vulcanite/amberlite stems; now that I know that Rad Davis pipes are vulcanite and the Castello is acrylic I'm going to take notice.
Does anyone actually prefer the acrylic feel, ignoring the maintenance issue?
Allan

 

[cortezattic]

Thanks for taking the pix. I love looking at beautiful pipes and women.

 

[cigrmaster]

I personally will never buy another pipe with an acrylic stem. I prefer vulcanite way more. The new vulcanite does not oxidize like the old suffer laden ones. I would also suggest getting Obidisian Stem Oil, it works great at keeping the rubber stems pretty.
I still smoke my acrylic stemmed pipes but do not enjoy them as much as my vulcanite ones.

 

[ssjones]

I travel a lot with my pipes and need a mix of vulcanite/acrylic pipes on my rack. I don't like teeth marks on my stems but hate rubber softy tips. I handsmoke at home and don't clench my vulcanite stemmmed pipes. On the road, car events, etc. an acrylic stem is nice to clench and not worry about damaging. My Castellos and new Jimmy Craig Ashtons (one Tinsky)fit that bill nicely. Variety, the spice of life!