New Acquisitions: Tinsky, Learned, And Castello

[layinpipe]

Greetings all you pipe and tobacco fiends, here's what i got my paws on in the past couple of weeks. I turned the dirty thirty on Tuesday, so i am considering all 3 to be "birthday gifts" to myself. Thus, i will spare the PAD whining and bullshit, lol. Got all 3 at very very good prices and they are all beautiful pipes that all 3 smoke wonderfully, in my opinion, and met and exceed their description on them internets. Also, they are all three barely used, especially the Tinsky and Castello, not having more than 2 to 3 bowls put through them each. Harris was right with what he said about my first Castello, in that they are fantastic pipes, and i now own 3 amazing looking smokers. They are addicting and are quickly becoming one of my favorite pipe makers. I am also grouping the Curtz Quaint Poker i won from the bay on sunday as part of my "birthday gifts" to myself. It should be on my doorstep when i get home, so i will post a thread about it with pics when i get around to it, free from PAD bitching i assure you. Hope all you blokes are happily puffing yourselfs into an unadulterated peaceful bliss and keeping the hobby alive. Cheerio.
Tinsky Apple Blast:

Sam Learned Crescent Grade canted billiard/belge:

Castello Sea Rock Natural Vergin G Pi Canadian:

 

[sidious]

Happy Birthday! I really like that Tinsky.

 

[tbradsim1]

All great pipes, you got a good stable. Happy Birthday!

 

[papipeguy]

Happy 30th; I sorta remember mine 32 years ago. You made 3 great picks and I'm loving that Castello. I'm a huge fan of paneled pipes. Enjoy your youth and your new pipes. Happy Smoke Rings.

 

[peckinpahhombre]

Theyvareall wonderful pipes, but to my eyes, that panelled Castello Vergin is the star of the show.

 

[kcghost]

Tinsky has to be one of the most under appreciated carvers in the world.

 

[ssjones]

Wow, a couple of beauties there!
I love the Tinsky Apple shape and that blast looks terrific. Best maker for the money, hands down.
That Pi is also very appealing.
Good eyes!

 

[mso489]

That panel is a beauty. It really takes the shape to a new level. There is a strong art deco

reference there, and the lighter finish brings up the shape and detail. The arches on the

side panels are a real inspiration. I bet the briar is well aged and that it is lighter weight

than its size suggests.

 

[layinpipe]

Thanks all for the compliments and bday wishes, much appreciated! Yeah, the Tinsky is a great pipe, but it is very large (which i like and knew before receiving) and is deceivingly small from the pics i took. This makes my 4th Tinsky and i don't see an end in site. KCghost and Al, i couldn't agree with you more, Mark is one of the most underrated pipe makers out there and for the money, i do not believe there is a better value. The funny thing about it is i think everyone knows this and his pipes remain at the same pricepoint with the quality only getting better year after year. I think Mark knows this too, but he sells so many pipes and is so widely known and well respected in the community that he is content with what he charges and keeping his pipes affordable for a wider audience and spectrum of wallets. Just my thoughts. He is one of the nicest and most helpful guys you will ever meet, as well. I seriously could make a thread about his work every day and not get tired of it, as he deserves every bit of the recognition.
@Claude, i am with you concerning the boxwood shank extension on the Learned pipe. I think it would look better without it, or if it was way shorter than it is. The grain and birdseye of this pipe are very good though and the finish really makes them both stand out. The pipe smokes very well, so no complaints there. At under $75, i think it was a pretty damn good deal for a pipe that i have seen unsmoked priced A LOT higher! Sam no longer is making pipes as well, so i wouldn't be surprised if his pipes increase in value in the future.
Peck, i agree with you and the others about the Castello. I absolutely love it and it smokes like a typical Castello does, smooth, wide open and effortlessly. I really dig the natural vergin finish and the pi paneled versions of the sea rocks. It is really a nice complimenting combination of smooth and rusticated/blasted finishes. Mso489, you are correct in that the briar smokes and appears to have a good amount of age on it. Castello claims every one of their briars is aged at least 10 years anyways, but not sure how much it has on it besides that. The listing from the previous owner said it was bought new this year, so it can't have but so much age on it. It is definitely a lot lighter than it looks and is a solid clencher without the jawaches.
The dimensions on the Castello in case you are curious: 5.52 x 2.01 L&BH. CD is .83, depth is 1.69 and it weighs in at 1.9 oz.