Castello Shape 55 (Rad Davis Interpretation)

[peckinpahhombre]

This is a shape that many pipe smokers aren't in love with. I have one, though, and it is one my favourite pipes - in particular, I find it to be a flake smoking machine. Oddly, mine is made by Rad Davis, and I don't actually have one made by Castello yet, though I am continuously on the hunt. Last night I picked up my second Rad in this shape.
Apparently there are others who love the shape as well. Neil Archer Roan has a great piece on the Shape 55: http://www.apassionforpipes.com/neills-blog/2010/12/5/the-ugly-duckling.html
Greg Pease also has several wonderful examples of the shape on his Castello page: http://www.glpease.com/Pipes/Collection/castello.html
If you are looking for a fantastic flake smoking pipe, you should give the Shape 55 a try.
My two Rad versions are below. The latest is shown first and, unusually for Rad, has a gold leaf shank treatment.













Here is the first Rad Shape 55 I picked up.

 

[tbradsim1]

Both pipes are really elegant squatty shapes, reminds me of me! LOL Peck they really are beautiful works, yes I like the shape and just know they will smoke fine, good pick.

 

[bentmike]

Beautiful Rads! But yeah I have to admit the shape is not for me. Never get tired of seeing Rad's awesome sandblasts -thanks for sharing.

 

[delkhouri]

I don't mind the shape at all, and those are some beautiful pipes. Congrats on another fine pipe peck.

 

[cigrmaster]

peck, you must have gotten your latest within 30 seconds of it being listed because when I checked it within 1 minute it was already reserved, man you are quick. That is a gorgeous pipe and I love the gold stem app, never seen that before. Your other one is also great looking, both have incredible blasts. I am on the fence with the shape, when I first began seeing it was not for me, but it is kind of growing on me. Since it smokes flakes so well, I might just have to add one to the collection, congrats on your new pipe buddy.

 

[peckinpahhombre]

Give it a try. The hand feel of this pipe shape is perfect - extremely comfortable.
Rad is working on two more shape 55s for me. I want a 7 day set.

 

[flmason]

Congratulations on your new pipe.
With a 7 day set of Rad's and another seven day set of Cooke's you only need to select 3 additional carvers for weekly sets to get you thru all months on the year. Some months have 5 weeks but for the ones that don't you will have more pipes to select the ones you want to use.

 

[peckinpahhombre]

flmason - your comment makes me wonder whether JT Cooke would be willing to make me his interpretation of a Shape 55. Hmmm . . .

 

[joeahearn]

Those are some really beautiful pipes. The second one is just stunning. Rad Davis is an artist.

 

[tennsmoker]

Those are just absolutely beautiful pipes, Peck. The blast on both are bodaciously good. I love the shape, too.
Now, I'm gonna show some age here.
Don't know if you recall the Disney Movie "Lady and the Tramp" back in the 1950s. Lady was a beautiful cocker spaniel. And Tramp was a mutt. Lady lived with her owners, Jim and Darling.
Jim smoked a pipe. To me, it had the 55 shape. One of my first pipes was a pot (basket pipe) that was similar to Jim's pipe, which was pretty much in his teeth all the time. That was the best I could do then, being in college at the time. I could barely afford the basket pipe.
I still have that pipe and recently began its restoration. It isn't anywhere close to the real 55 shape, but I thought it was just like Jim's in the movie.
I love that Davis shape. Maybe one day, I'll see if I can't snag one.
Congratulations on two beautiful pieces of smoking art!

 

[gwtwdbss]

That is a great looking pair Peck. Congrats!

 

[ssjones]

That's a pretty interesting Disney detail tensmoker!
I love that 55 shape, but have yet to add one to my rack. Both of those Rad's would have a warm spot in my heart!

 

[petes03]

Once again Peck, two beautiful pipes! And yes, I do like the shape. Congrats!

 

[docwatson]

I think that the shape 55 is one of the least attractive pipes ever!!!! OK I said it. LOL

I own a Castello Sea Rock G55 shape, and like Peck says its a smoking machine. I guess that can only be the reason so many people like them.

The Castello I have is just a Plain Jane but at least Peck has a couple beauties with some embellishments and great sandblast finishes. It puts a whole different perspective to the shape.

Awesome Peck, as usual Rad makes a couple more masterpieces.

:clap:

 

[trailspike48]

Ugly pipe? No way, the beauty of the blast, grain and workmanship would make Bradley's angry bull beautiful.

 

[batdemon]

Both are stunning, congrats, Peck :clap:

 

[daveinlax]

your comment makes me wonder whether JT Cooke would be willing to make me his interpretation of a Shape 55. Hmmm

He might if the shape catches is interest. I've seen his interpretation of the shapes 23, 30 and 65 he's done for friends.

 

[cigrmaster]

peck, how are they for clenching, does the length or lack there of become an issue like smoke getting in your eyes? I honestly do not buy pipes anymore for hand feel but for ease of clenching. Those thick walls are very intriguing especially when you take into account how light it is. I am thinking it has to be a flake smoking machine.

 

[peckinpahhombre]

Well its 5 and 1/8 inches. That's not so bad. Under 50g to boot. Smoke doesn't get in my eyes (and if it did I would just write a song about it).

 

[cigrmaster]

5 1/8 should be fine for no smoke in the eyes. I am definitely adding one of these to my Rad collection. Now what stain do I choose, Natural, Mahogany, the one peck just bought, decisions decisions.