Let me clarify . . . I would buy a Castello vs a Dunny sight unseen ONLY if we are talking from the 1980s era.
Castello from that era were absolutely the BEST.
Castello from that era were absolutely the BEST.
Castello vs Dunhill
- Thread starter fitzy
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I don't own either, but if I were shopping those pipes, I'd be drawn to Dunhill only because they offer a wider range of sizes and weights, and I like the spareness of their design (in many cases). I admire the shapes and finishes on Castello, and their mass and bulk, but they tend toward heavier weights and bigger bowls than I'd grab with limited time for a smoke. Pipe for pipe, I believe Castellos are a slightly better price, but not by much. Dunhill's price make me shake my head. A Kaywoodie or Sav is no Dunhill, but they are fine pipes.
Thanks for the input everyone. I haven't bought a Castello yet because they are usually pretty heavy. This one is surprisingly light and around the same weight as the Dunhill. Both meet my bowl dimension requirements. I think I need to get off the fence and just make a decision already. lol
Both outfits have made both Magic Pipes and "What were they thinking?!" clunkers. Arguments can be made for and against each brand.
As for Jesse saying this:
As for Jesse saying this:
Everyone knows he made a secret pact with B's ghost (does anyone know what the "B" stands for?) to never smoke another English brand in exchange for magically good Ebay deals on Barlings, so his opinion doesn't count.
Castello. Their "break in" is non existent, from the first bowl they are pleasant and smoke like champs.
:
True. Once I started up with Barling, the Dunhills largely went in the drawer. But certain periods for Dunhill are spectacularly good, and those I do still smoke.
Castellos are a different animal. Different styling, acrylic stems, sometimes very pronounced buttons. All of that works for me. For the most part I'm not a clencher, but if I were, the slip proof button would be a plus. The Castellos I have smoked have been very good performers with wide open draw, no break-in. And, yes, that Occhio di Pernice is a spectacular pipe. Better, it is a very fine smoker.
But ultimately what I think in this matter matters not a whit. The OP will decide what matters to him and act accordingly.
Austin Healey, or Alfa Romeo??
Both will deliver the goods. Both very different. The Castello will have a wide open draw, and the flavors will be bright and sparkly. The Dunhill will be more restricted draw, flavors will be stronger and more dense.... at least that's my perception. I LOVE the old (pre-1950) Dunnies, but buying new....... it's a coin toss really......... :wink:
Both will deliver the goods. Both very different. The Castello will have a wide open draw, and the flavors will be bright and sparkly. The Dunhill will be more restricted draw, flavors will be stronger and more dense.... at least that's my perception. I LOVE the old (pre-1950) Dunnies, but buying new....... it's a coin toss really......... :wink:
Thanks everyone for their input.
I generally prefer a pipe with a more open draw.
I think the first thing I need to do is walk down the block to the Dunhill store and finger a couple pipes there. See if that helps me make some decisions.
I'm going to throw a wrench into this conversation and ask what people think of the Savinelli Giubileo d'Oro pipes.
I generally prefer a pipe with a more open draw.
I think the first thing I need to do is walk down the block to the Dunhill store and finger a couple pipes there. See if that helps me make some decisions.
I'm going to throw a wrench into this conversation and ask what people think of the Savinelli Giubileo d'Oro pipes.
fitzy, after reading this post, I paid more attention to SP's Castello offerings. They do make some smaller pipes that are quite attractive. I guess if size and weight were equal, I'd have to just judge it pipe by pipe. If you can handle the pipes and view them in person, that is a huge advantage. Dunhill is such a big dog in the business, it's important to bring down the decision to a particular pipe.
I don't have any Sav's in that series, but my wife gave me a higher level 673 KS Opera bulldog a Christmas ago which MSRP'd at around $260 and it is an impressive smoker and really tight on fit and finish, so as you go up the Sav price scale, you get what you pay for, in my opinion; you won't regret it.
I don't have any Sav's in that series, but my wife gave me a higher level 673 KS Opera bulldog a Christmas ago which MSRP'd at around $260 and it is an impressive smoker and really tight on fit and finish, so as you go up the Sav price scale, you get what you pay for, in my opinion; you won't regret it.
Of course this is just my opinion but to me, there is no contest and absolutely no question... Castello, all the way. Again, just my opinion but, Dunhill is not even close to a shell (no pun intended) of its former self. Yes, the Dunhill's of pre-1970 would make this a closer call, and many other factors would need to be considered to make the decision, but if you are talking about by today's manufacture, there is no comparison.
I own many of both brands and each have their merit. By today's manufacture, fit, finish, briar quality, craftsmanship, Castello comes out on top.
I own many of both brands and each have their merit. By today's manufacture, fit, finish, briar quality, craftsmanship, Castello comes out on top.
Al Pascia is where I bought my Dunhill, the best prices period.
Joel @ The Briar Pipes has good deals on Castello's and usually a nice selection (or Pipes2Smoke).
On the Savinelli GDO: IF you could find a new one (can't say that I've seen a new one), the stem would be a 6 mm filter, thats a deal breaker for me (vintage GDO's are vulcanite stems/no filter, ie perfect!)
My solution...
2014 #3108 Cumberland
2014 Trademark Shape 54, fluted (see what Mike H meant on variations on a shape!)
Fit & finish is pretty equal, but the Dunhill has the edge on the button. Both smoke exceedingly well
Joel @ The Briar Pipes has good deals on Castello's and usually a nice selection (or Pipes2Smoke).
On the Savinelli GDO: IF you could find a new one (can't say that I've seen a new one), the stem would be a 6 mm filter, thats a deal breaker for me (vintage GDO's are vulcanite stems/no filter, ie perfect!)
My solution...
2014 #3108 Cumberland
2014 Trademark Shape 54, fluted (see what Mike H meant on variations on a shape!)
Fit & finish is pretty equal, but the Dunhill has the edge on the button. Both smoke exceedingly well
I have owned dozens of both brands. I am currently down to 8 or 10 Castellos and one un-smoked Dunhill. I almost bid on a 1968 Dunhill 40 from Pipestud that looked great, and considering what it went for, I am sorry I didn't. I have thoroughly enjoyed every Dunhill I have owned, including brand new in the box Dunhill shells purchased in the late 90's, so I do not consider myself prejudiced against Dunhills, new or old, except maybe Dunhill's made in the 70's or so bear close inspection.
A couple of comments about the thread:
(1) The stems are different, but both are hand cut from solid stock, vulcanite in one case, Lucite in the other. I have talked to people who have seen both brands operations and they each pay a lot of attention to finishing, including the stem. If Franco Coppo wanted a bit, including the button, to look like a Dunhill bit, then they would.
(2) I don't like the amount of maintenance that a Vulcanite bit requires, though Dunhills typically do better for me than others.
(3) Most American market Castellos tend to be larger size. The only Castellos that I have owned or rejected as being conspicuously heavy are Sea Rocks, and only a few of those, and one old Epoca shingle style that felt like a boat anchor. I have had both brands that I bought because their light weight was noticeable. Overall, I don't usually find much difference, size for size, shape for shape (including wall thickness).
(4) If pricing was comparable, I would take the Castello assuming everything else were equal,just based on styling,but it never is. What Hagley said, who many years ago taught me most of what I know about pipes that is worth knowing.
(5) Buy one, and save up to buy the other brand.
A couple of comments about the thread:
(1) The stems are different, but both are hand cut from solid stock, vulcanite in one case, Lucite in the other. I have talked to people who have seen both brands operations and they each pay a lot of attention to finishing, including the stem. If Franco Coppo wanted a bit, including the button, to look like a Dunhill bit, then they would.
(2) I don't like the amount of maintenance that a Vulcanite bit requires, though Dunhills typically do better for me than others.
(3) Most American market Castellos tend to be larger size. The only Castellos that I have owned or rejected as being conspicuously heavy are Sea Rocks, and only a few of those, and one old Epoca shingle style that felt like a boat anchor. I have had both brands that I bought because their light weight was noticeable. Overall, I don't usually find much difference, size for size, shape for shape (including wall thickness).
(4) If pricing was comparable, I would take the Castello assuming everything else were equal,just based on styling,but it never is. What Hagley said, who many years ago taught me most of what I know about pipes that is worth knowing.
(5) Buy one, and save up to buy the other brand.
While I prefer vulcanite to acrylic, I would still take the Castello. I have owned several of each And only valued one of the Dunhills. I have never even seen a poorly drilled Castello and never smoked a bad one.
And does anyone really know who is making todays Dunhill pipes? Thats a serious question. The last I heard Castello had 6 pipe carvers working for them...6. Thats not much of a factory.
And does anyone really know who is making todays Dunhill pipes? Thats a serious question. The last I heard Castello had 6 pipe carvers working for them...6. Thats not much of a factory.
I kind of thought as much. It's good to have forum participation from the old guard, you guys lived what most of us can only read about.
@jefff, For the most part, Castellos are well drilled. However, you need to look at where the draft hole enters the bowl on large bents (sometimes they are high) and G and GG long shanked pipes like 75's and 32's. (sometimes high, sometimes wide right or left). The only Castello I have ever had burn out was a GG 75 that was off to the left. Fortunately Jim Cooke saved it. I don't know what he did, but that pipe could have been smoked safely in Hades. Gave me several years of good service until I traded it to a size queen. (Shank length)
Some have said that they think Castellos have a more wide open draw than Dunhills. I would agree with that, but I think the difference is very marginal. I have never found that to be an issue on any Dunhill I have owned, but it seems that more people are particular about that today.
Last comment on Lucite V Vulcanite, has anyone here ever smoked a pipe with a Rich Lewis hand cut Lucite bit? I have. It is definitely possible to make a Lucite bit that mimics a Dunhill for comfort. I have had a few other Lucite bits that are on par with his. I have a LaCroix Cardinal Lovat with a hand cut (so stamped) Lucite bit that I have held onto for 20 years through several downsizings because it is so comfortable. So it is possible. I have to assume that Coppo has made a conscious decision to emphasize other aspects of finishing a pipe(some of his stains are phenomenal) in allocating resources (labor) in the most efficient way that works for him.
Some have said that they think Castellos have a more wide open draw than Dunhills. I would agree with that, but I think the difference is very marginal. I have never found that to be an issue on any Dunhill I have owned, but it seems that more people are particular about that today.
Last comment on Lucite V Vulcanite, has anyone here ever smoked a pipe with a Rich Lewis hand cut Lucite bit? I have. It is definitely possible to make a Lucite bit that mimics a Dunhill for comfort. I have had a few other Lucite bits that are on par with his. I have a LaCroix Cardinal Lovat with a hand cut (so stamped) Lucite bit that I have held onto for 20 years through several downsizings because it is so comfortable. So it is possible. I have to assume that Coppo has made a conscious decision to emphasize other aspects of finishing a pipe(some of his stains are phenomenal) in allocating resources (labor) in the most efficient way that works for him.
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