Yeah I used to think Castello made some of the ugliest pipes but then slowly they won me over. First with the 11 then the 63. I agree with you about the 55 but even now I can understand why people like it.
Castello Pipes
- Thread starter WVpiper3
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Wally Frank would be proud that his promotion of a nearly extinct brand is still working nearly 70 years later.
I've had 3 or 4 over the years. One small bent billiard was the standout, but the stem wasn't bent well. It was a little wonky.
Stems aside, it's obvious they do superlative wood work.
For me, aesthetically, I don't care for many of their finishes and shapes. Also, they tend to float in to the "overpriced" range in my opinion. Obviously though, they have plenty of fans.
I still browse them when new ones are added to sites - they shouldn't be overlooked - especially estates.
Stems aside, it's obvious they do superlative wood work.
For me, aesthetically, I don't care for many of their finishes and shapes. Also, they tend to float in to the "overpriced" range in my opinion. Obviously though, they have plenty of fans.
I still browse them when new ones are added to sites - they shouldn't be overlooked - especially estates.
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."
I agree with you about shape 55.... but someone must like them. Didn't I see one in a Salvador Dali painting?
I would take Ser Jacopo all day long(specially the older ones)...the lines of their bent shapes, their high grades with silverwork,stem work etc.Also on a lot of Castellos you can see exposed sandpits even on 500$ +pipes.They do not even care to mask it up..All my 5 Ser Jacopos are piece of art..."Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."
I dont own any currently, but would like to eventually own one of the smaller sea rock 55's. Such a cool shape.
I am at my last tin of 10 years old Dunhill flake..What an amazing virginia flavor in my only Castello..
Quite traditional/conservative look for a Castello oom paul and I really dig it.
I’ve been curious about Castello pipes because some people hold them in such high regard and rave about their smoking properties. I find many of the ones I see as aesthetic abominations. However, I do find their more classic/traditional shapes appealing. I suspect I would prefer ones from the ’60s over anything recent.
Yeah, I view Castello as the arsty/eccentric brother of Savinelli. They might do similar shapes in the Italian style but Savinelli is much more reserved and traditional where Castello will stray from conventional proportions.
Like you I prefer Savinellis but I’m starting to be drawn to Castellos even though I can't exactly articulate why.
People are drawn to unknown,unexplored...Get one and see..
My sea rock is everything I hoped it would be. Well made, good button, ope draw, and cool smoke. I would get another.
I have two Sea Rocks. Both purchased from Tobacchia Corti (site sponsor) for a great price. One is a Shape 19 which is my favorite and the other is stout Shape 55 Virgin “Sea Rock”. I had two smooth Castellos but I recently sold them because I rarely smoked them because I just prefer textured finishes.
But they are great pipes and smoke beautifully. Plus they stand by their work and if there is ever an issue, they will fix it. I had an issue with one of my pipes and made it right no questions asked.
But they are great pipes and smoke beautifully. Plus they stand by their work and if there is ever an issue, they will fix it. I had an issue with one of my pipes and made it right no questions asked.
Same, along with a dislike of the quality of the material and work of their stems. Always liked Don Carlos more than Castello.
Yep
Castellos and Savinellis are "brother" only because they come from the same country. I have quite a few of both brands and I can tell you this.... When smoking English blends the Castello wins hands down with much better taste. When smoking an aromatic a Savinelli with the balsa does a great job.
I have had three Costellos over the years, but have traded them all off. While I did enjoy the tactile feeling of the Sea Rock finish, I do not care for acrylic stems, they smoke wet for me and hurt my teeth Since I smoke mostly Virginia and VA/PER I never got a satisfying smoke from my Costellos. They seem to smoke very dry and removed the flavor from the smoke.
I smoke mostly English pipes, primarily Comoy and GBD, but have nearly probably 10 Chacom and nearly as many Danish pipes, several of which are Stanwell.
I can definitely understand why some people like Castillos, but for me they did not smoke as flavorfully as my other pipes.
Life's too short to smoke a pipe you don't enjoy, so those of you who love Costellos, smoke in great enjoyment!
I smoke mostly English pipes, primarily Comoy and GBD, but have nearly probably 10 Chacom and nearly as many Danish pipes, several of which are Stanwell.
I can definitely understand why some people like Castillos, but for me they did not smoke as flavorfully as my other pipes.
Life's too short to smoke a pipe you don't enjoy, so those of you who love Costellos, smoke in great enjoyment!
I’d take a sand pit over finding a fill in a Ser Jac.