On my second day in Rome, my lady and I went to the Trevi Fountain. Less fifty yards away was Becker and Musico.
I entered and introduced myself to Massimo and one of his friends. I handed Massimo sealed tins of Dreams of Kadath, Grand Point (with St James Perique and GL PEASE Regent's Flake. He was over the moon with the tobacco. He told me that he never gets access to blends like these and he was extremely appreciative.
He gave me a tour of his retail shop. I looked over his pipes. Some of them looked more radical than the ones I was used to seeing at Smokingpipes. They were truly unique asymmetrical shapes and designs. It took me almost an hour to narrow my selections down to about 5 pipes. The ones I picked were slightly more classical shapes. The price tags on the more asymmetrical ones was a bit too high. I told Massimo I was only leaving with two.
Like some kind of pipe doctor, he carefully watched me handle the pipes and made some observations about how I hold the pipe etc. He disappeared through a doorway and emerged with a pipe in his hand. He handed it to me. It was a small bull-doggish pot. My hand naturally fit it perfectly. My thumb rested on the flattened side panel while my right finger reached around the rim of the pipe as if it were on a trigger. It was so comfortable.
He launched into a very passionate explanation about how a person and a pipe form a very intimate bond that evolves over the years. The conversation evolved into him sharing his process as he makes a pipe. I could tell that he loves making pipes and that he makes them from the heart. He looked over my selection of pipes. He picked each one up and told me what it was. Then he asked me to hold on again and he went into one of his display cases and pulled another pipe. It was another asymmetrically designed acorn-type shape with a beautiful blast. He told me that this one was very special. He said it was one of his favorites. He discussed why it was such a special pipe to him and how he "felt" as he made it. He thought it was some of the best stem work he’d ever done.
I loved both the pipes Massimo steered me towards, however, they were over 30% more than I wanted to spend. He told me no problem and gave me a discount. So, I got the pipes!
We talked some more about his approach to pipe making and his relationship with briar. He was so passionate about making pipes. He said he’d love to visit our forum sometime, but he can’t peel himself away from the workshop long enough to spend anytime online.
If anyone goes to Rome, I highly recommend visiting Massimo. He’s a great guy and loves talking about his craft.
So, as requested, here are some pics… taken and posted with Massimo’s approval.
Here are the two pipes I got:
Massimo and I:
Random pics of the shop and pipes:
I entered and introduced myself to Massimo and one of his friends. I handed Massimo sealed tins of Dreams of Kadath, Grand Point (with St James Perique and GL PEASE Regent's Flake. He was over the moon with the tobacco. He told me that he never gets access to blends like these and he was extremely appreciative.
He gave me a tour of his retail shop. I looked over his pipes. Some of them looked more radical than the ones I was used to seeing at Smokingpipes. They were truly unique asymmetrical shapes and designs. It took me almost an hour to narrow my selections down to about 5 pipes. The ones I picked were slightly more classical shapes. The price tags on the more asymmetrical ones was a bit too high. I told Massimo I was only leaving with two.
Like some kind of pipe doctor, he carefully watched me handle the pipes and made some observations about how I hold the pipe etc. He disappeared through a doorway and emerged with a pipe in his hand. He handed it to me. It was a small bull-doggish pot. My hand naturally fit it perfectly. My thumb rested on the flattened side panel while my right finger reached around the rim of the pipe as if it were on a trigger. It was so comfortable.
He launched into a very passionate explanation about how a person and a pipe form a very intimate bond that evolves over the years. The conversation evolved into him sharing his process as he makes a pipe. I could tell that he loves making pipes and that he makes them from the heart. He looked over my selection of pipes. He picked each one up and told me what it was. Then he asked me to hold on again and he went into one of his display cases and pulled another pipe. It was another asymmetrically designed acorn-type shape with a beautiful blast. He told me that this one was very special. He said it was one of his favorites. He discussed why it was such a special pipe to him and how he "felt" as he made it. He thought it was some of the best stem work he’d ever done.
I loved both the pipes Massimo steered me towards, however, they were over 30% more than I wanted to spend. He told me no problem and gave me a discount. So, I got the pipes!
We talked some more about his approach to pipe making and his relationship with briar. He was so passionate about making pipes. He said he’d love to visit our forum sometime, but he can’t peel himself away from the workshop long enough to spend anytime online.
If anyone goes to Rome, I highly recommend visiting Massimo. He’s a great guy and loves talking about his craft.
So, as requested, here are some pics… taken and posted with Massimo’s approval.
Here are the two pipes I got:
Massimo and I:
Random pics of the shop and pipes:
