Don Carlos Pipes

[popeofpiping]

I recently came across the history of Don Carlos pipes. To my surprise I learned Bruto Sordini is from Cagli, Italy. Not far from my families village of Salcito. This of course made me very interested in his brand. Other than short history on pipe pedia and a few examples of his pipes online, I haven’t been able to find much. He crafts beautiful pipes, in particular his rusticated examples. Anyone have any experience with his pipes?

 

[philobeddoe]

I have a 2 note rusticated bent poker that smokes wonderfully, I wouldn’t hesitate to purchase another.

 

[PaulRVA]

I had a gorgeous 1 Note Blasted Dublin I picked up around 2000-2001 and it smoked just fantastic.
I gave that pipe to my brother as he loved it from the get go. He still smokes it periodically today.
Blue Room Briars had a 1 Note Long Canadian yesterday on their site worth looking at.

 

[popeofpiping]

I had a gorgeous 1 Note Blasted Dublin I picked up around 2000-2001 and it smoked just fantastic.
I gave that pipe to my brother as he loved it from the get go. He still smokes it periodically today.
Blue Room Briars had a 1 Note Long Canadian yesterday on their site worth looking at.

I believe I’m the new owner of that long shanked beauty. After losing a biding war for a much smaller sea rock I went looking for other comparable brands with that similar gnarly Italian rusticated finish and came across the almost 8” rusticated Lovat on Blue Room. Had to pick it up after reading the short bio of Bruto.

 

[PaulRVA]

I believe I’m the new owner of that long shanked beauty. After losing a biding war for a much smaller sea rock I went looking for other comparable brands with that similar gnarly Italian rusticated finish and came across the almost 8” rusticated Lovat on Blue Room. Had to pick it up after reading the short bio of Bruto.

I’m betting you’ll love it. It’s a great looking pipe and DC does a good job.
If you like those rustications check out Radice Rinds as well.

 

[Chasing Embers]

One of my favorite briars is from him.

 

[PapaCoolDown]

Wrong thread. My bad.

 

[popeofpiping]

One of my favorite briars is from him.

View attachment 354102

Beautiful! Is that graded a 1 Note??

 

[PapaCoolDown]

I only have one Don Carlos but it is the jewel of my small pipe collection. An absolutely gorgeous 3 note I managed to find on eBay for what I feel was a steal. It is a very lightly used estate. I haven’t smoked it yet and am saving the first bowl in it for a special occasion.
Does anyone know if there is a way to date a Don Carlos? I would love to know when Bruto crafted this piece of art

 

[dottlejockey]

He makes a great pipe. I've had a couple over the years. Still have a picture of this bulldog:



I had a friend, years ago, at the local smoking lounge whom collected these, especially. He had maybe 300 or so DC pipes and used to bring a trunkful to oogle (or offer on) when he was in town meeting with the guys. Great craftsmanship.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Beautiful! Is that graded a 1 Note??

No grading at all just a 2012 Notturno. Won it unsmoked in an auction back in 2015 for $86. It was described as 360° straight grain.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Does anyone know if there is a way to date a Don Carlos? I would love to know when Bruto crafted this piece of art

He started using a sterling silver treble clef on the stem in 2002.

Grading: three classes - rusticated - smooth - straight grain. Within each class pipes are graded into 3 categories by 1 to 3 musical notes. Exceptional pipes are stamped "Chorale".

Dating:

2002: The pipes started to be stamped with a date reference. It is a "50/2" stamp.

• 50: was Bruto’s age in 2002
• 50/2=25: is exactly the years that Bruto spent in making pipes in 2002 (starting in 1977).

2003: No date reference stamped.

2nd April 2004: "27" stamp (25+2).

2nd April 2005: "28" stamp... and so on.

 

[PapaCoolDown]

He started using a sterling silver treble clef on the stem in 2002.

Grading: three classes - rusticated - smooth - straight grain. Within each class pipes are graded into 3 categories by 1 to 3 musical notes. Exceptional pipes are stamped "Chorale".

Dating:

2002: The pipes started to be stamped with a date reference. It is a "50/2" stamp.

• 50: was Bruto’s age in 2002
• 50/2=25: is exactly the years that Bruto spent in making pipes in 2002 (starting in 1977).

2003: No date reference stamped.

2nd April 2004: "27" stamp (25+2).

2nd April 2005: "28" stamp... and so on.

Thank you good Sir Embers.
Based on this, it might be from 2003 then. I have a silver treble on the stem, but no numbers stamped. Just the
Don Carlos
Fatta a Mano
In Italia
on one side. And the three note stamp on the other. No Chorale unfortunately. Haha.