Castello Sea Rock

[WVpiper3]

Good afternoon everyone, I recently purchased my first castello sea rock, I've been eyeing one for awhile and am really hoping it lives up to the hype mainly because I've already purchased it but wanted to know what everyone thought about this particular rustication.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Sea Rocks are pretty, but I've always preferred the Old Antiquary finish. As for the hype, i think they are okay but as for any brand don't expect them to perform magic.

 

[WVpiper3]

Sea Rocks are pretty, but I've always preferred the Old Antiquary finish. As for the hype, i think they are okay but as for any brand don't expect them to perform magic.

I get what your saying, thanks for the feed back amigo

 

[Chasing Embers]

I get what your saying, thanks for the feed back amigo

And now for the show. Photos please!

 

[WVpiper3]

And now for the show. Photos please!

These were from the seller, I haven't received the pipe just yet

 

[WVpiper3]

These were from the seller, I haven't received the pipe just

These were from the seller, I haven't received the pipe just yet

Says this is a shape 32. Other than the 55 I'm not to familiar with the castello shape chart

 

[autumnfog]

Beautiful pipe!
The sea rock rustication not only looks good, also lies great in the hand.
Prefer pipes with a texture before smooth pipes.

 

[WVpiper3]

These were from the seller, I haven't received the pipe just

These were from the seller, I haven't received the pipe just yet

Says this is a shape 32. Other than the 55 I'm not to familiar with the castello shape chart

Beautiful pipe!
The sea rock rustication not only looks good, also lies great in the hand.
Prefer pipes with a texture before smooth pipes.

Beautiful pipe!
The sea rock rustication not only looks good, also lies great in the hand.
Prefer pipes with a texture before smooth pipes.

I tend to gravitate more to the textured ones as well, and I've been told the sea rock rustication is a staple in the pipe world so I figured I'd give a try

 

[WVpiper3]

Anybody have any idea if that faux gem on the stem gives it any indication of when the pipe was made?

 

[autumnfog]

I think you're gonna like the pipe.
Got two sea rocks myself and they looked better in reality than on pictures.

 

[litup]

The gem or bar is not how you tell the age of a Castello. That usually indicates which market it was intended to be sold in. Castello will still, occasionally, use the gem in order to preserve that as a trademark.
To find the date of a Castello, check to see if the Castle stamp has a number inside it. If it does, add that number to 1947. For example, if you see a 76 inside the castle you'd know that the pipe was made this year (1947 + 76 = 2023).
If it doesn't have a number, it was likely pre-1987. Closer pictures of the nomenclature would help us give a more accurate dating.

 

[daveinlax]

The gem or bar is not how you tell the age of a Castello. That usually indicates which market it was intended to be sold in. Castello will still, occasionally, use the gem in order to preserve that as a trademark.
To find the date of a Castello, check to see if the Castle stamp has a number inside it. If it does, add that number to 1947. For example, if you see a 76 inside the castle you'd know that the pipe was made this year (1947 + 76 = 2023).
If it doesn't have a number, it was likely pre-1987. Closer pictures of the nomenclature would help us give a more accurate dating.

The big K’s date this from the very late 60’s to the early 80’s. I guess this is from the later 70’s to the end of the era.
I’m partial to big Black Sea Rocks and will pay a premium for pipes that don’t have the smooth top Castello seem to love.
Sea Rock’s stand out because they have two step rustication process. The worst wood make the best Sea Rock Pipes. I love them!

 

[kcghost]

Sea Rocks can be very attractive as the picture shows. I usually prefer the Old Antiquary finish.

 

[Searock Fan]

Anybody have any idea if that faux gem on the stem gives it any indication of when the pipe was made?

No.... The "diamond" was adopted for pipes intended for the American market. The Castello white bar logo was too close to that used by the "White Bar" pipe makers in the U.S..

Since 1963 most of my pipes have been Sea Rocks. I guess they're ok if you like that sort of thing.....

 

[JackOrion]

That’s a really nice pipe. I have one Costello and it’s a sea rock. Great finish and it’s an excellent smoker to boot

 

[Chasing Embers]

I've been told the sea rock rustication is a staple in the pipe world

Wait until you see Savinelli's Capri or Corallo di Mare.

 

[Merton]

Anybody have any idea if that faux gem on the stem gives it any indication of when the pipe was made?

 

[Merton]

The crinkled up aluminum as well as the black stem dot certainly were used prior to the now common white bar on Castellos. However, they are both still used by Castello occasionally in order to preserve them as trademarks.

 

[Merton]

While i like searocks, i have found that the Radice Rind especially in the (E) series (ebonite stems) are just as nice as the searocks for considerably less money. Castello makes a beautiful pipe but their stem work is often too thick. Radice stems are much more tapered.

 

[ssjones]

While i like searocks, i have found that the Radice Rind especially in the (E) series (ebonite stems) are just as nice as the searocks for considerably less money. Castello makes a beautiful pipe but their stem work is often too thick. Radice stems are much more tapered.

That has been my experience with modern Castello's. I do prize the smaller size Castellos, they are hard to find and their stem/buttons are proportional.