Castello Sea Rock

[jpmcwjr]

My first Castello, from Iwan Ries in Chicago. I am almost hesitant to fire up this beauty, but will do so one fine day!

 

[newbroom]

I like your decision to buy a Costello. Temper it slowly and evenly and enjoy it for the rest of your life.

:clap:

 

[pitchfork]

Gorgeous. I love the contrast between the rim and the rest of the pipe.

 

[deathandtaxes]

JP, My Sea Rock is the best smoking pipe in my rotation. Do yourself a favor and smoke this pipe immediately! :puffpipe:

 

[mso489]

jpm', beautiful pipe, great texture and powerful design. I'd encourage you to dive right and in pack that burner. The sooner you do, the sooner it will be completely broken in and provide the special joy that it can.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Quite right gents! But breaking in a Ryan Alden author equally fine and a couple others I got in at the Chicago pipe show. Next week sometime!

 

[peckinpahhombre]

Beauty. Congrats and let us know how she smokes.

 

[bonehed]

Very nice shape! Enjoy!

 

[cobguy]

I absolutely love my Castello Sea Rock pipes and hope you do as well ... congrats! :clap:
BTW ... what's the shape number on that one?

 

[jpmcwjr]

Markings are hard for me to read. It looks like XXX or KKK (!). Also, "US" appears to the left of the stamps, and on the far right is an oval which may read "Kimo, kino, king, kimp" or something else!

 

[weezell]

BEAUTIFUL pipe Brother!...

 

[jefff]

It's KKK. the number of k's determine the size with 4k's being the largest. Kino is Franco Coppolos nickname.

 

[brian64]

Really nice pipe! And Castello seems to always get a lot of praise around here...sure it will smoke great.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Thank you, Jeff. Good to know.
And thanks for the compliments, all.

 

[ssjones]

Nice, a 3K Sea Rock is a good thing in my book. They only seem to make 4K sizes any more. Enjoy!

 

[bigpond]

Right on JP! Enjoy it.

 

[fnord]

Jpmcwjr:
That is your second pipe of the evening I wish I owned. The first was your newest Bertram and now this Searock.
Good on you, my friend.
I am so happy for your successes.
Fnord

 

[jpmcwjr]

Report on smoking it: Just fine! Only disappointment is a small area on the inner rim of the bowl has charred. Not smudged, but actually charred. I am pretty careful about not scorching my rims, but there must be a soft spot in the briar there. Probably only the smoker would take note of it though.
Very happy with the pipe, and thanks for the encomiums*, gents!
*Word of the Day, June, 1964.

 

[bigpond]

I suspect this has to do more with whatever material they are currently choosing to finish the bowl interior and rim with than your technique. I've noticed this too on a few recent Castello's. I'm certain it is not related to burning wood, in my case at least. I'll add I've only experienced this previously in coated bowls in which the binding agent expands and flows outward over the rim.
Enjoy the pipe! It's a real looker.

 

[peckinpahhombre]

Love the texture on those sea rocks. That is a beauty.