Question for Sandblast Lovers

[Briar Lee]

I’m smoking a gigantic Baronet 616 EX made by Savinelli I think cost me about $40, almost as new but used.



I see where the same 616 shape in a smooth Punto Oro is $500 new.



And there’s another Punto Oro grade that’s sandblasted for only $400.



Then for just $120 you can buy a smooth Trevio grade.



I know there’s pipe smokers who prefer a sandblasted pipe.

To me, all the fully sandblasted pipes look very similar.

How do you judge the difference between a $40 Baronet grade and a $400 Punto Oro grade blast?

I’m sure they use a better (although not Pre 54 Algerian) grade of briar in the $400 pipe than the $40 pipe, and more care by better craftsmen, but how can you tell?

Savinelli does not cheat their customers, or else they’d not be long in business,

 

[FLDRD]

I’m smoking a gigantic Baronet 616 EX made by Savinelli I think cost me about $40, almost as new but used.

View attachment 384910


To me, all the fully sandblasted pipes look very similar.

How do you judge the difference between a $40 Baronet grade and a $400 Punto Oro grade blast?

I may be confused about your statement / question, but this pipe that remains in my reply - is rusticated, not blasted...?

 

[Briarcutter]

Your $40 pipe, (first photo) is not sand blasted.

 

[ofafeather]

Beyond the type of briar itself it’s about grading each briar block. I don’t know the percentages but the number of Punto Oro smooth pipes is based on a relatively few blocks that will yield the type of grain needed. The vast majority are going to be dark stained rusticated pipes with lots of filler - the Baronet, Rossi, etc. As the price of the pipe goes up so does the typical number of pipes go down. There’s a lot more to it in between but that’s the broad stroke basic.

 

[Briarcutter]

Name and grade carries a lot of weight with collectors. A Dunhill shell goes for a lot more than a Parker. The parker in not a Dunhill.

 

[Hillcrest]

I’m smoking a gigantic Baronet 616 EX made by Savinelli I think cost me about $40, almost as new but used.

View attachment 384910

I see where the same 616 shape in a smooth Punto Oro is $500 new.

View attachment 384911

And there’s another Punto Oro grade that’s sandblasted for only $400.

View attachment 384912

Then for just $120 you can buy a smooth Trevio grade.

View attachment 384913

I know there’s pipe smokers who prefer a sandblasted pipe.

To me, all the fully sandblasted pipes look very similar.

How do you judge the difference between a $40 Baronet grade and a $400 Punto Oro grade blast?

I’m sure they use a better (although not Pre 54 Algerian) grade of briar in the $400 pipe than the $40 pipe, and more care by better craftsmen, but how can you tell?

Savinelli does not cheat their customers, or else they’d not be long in business,

Blasticated ??? Rusticated then sandblasted ?

Breathing Life into a Savinelli Made Baronet Bruyere Blasticated 606EX Bent Billiard

Blog by Steve Laug The next pipe on the work table is a nice, large blasticated Bent Billiard. It is stamped with a Crown logo then Baronet over Bruyere on the heel of the bowl followed by 606EX ov…

rebornpipes.com

Punto Oro - only .01% of global selection of briar is used for Punto Oro.

https://www.savinelli.it/rw_en/experience/collection-pipes/punto-oro.html

 

[Briar Lee]

Your $40 pipe, (first photo) is not sand blasted.

Then they had a cool rustication machine.

 

[Briarcutter]

Then they had a cool rustication machine.

View attachment 384976

IMO, rustications are done by hand with the help in most cases, dremel type tools. However, with many pipes being made today on CNC machines, I could see some being rusticated on a machine. Just change the program a bit for that particular shape. All those beautiful Marxman pipes you have, there all rusticated by hand.

 

[Auxsender]

I’m smoking a gigantic Baronet 616 EX made by Savinelli I think cost me about $40, almost as new but used.

View attachment 384910

I see where the same 616 shape in a smooth Punto Oro is $500 new.

View attachment 384911

And there’s another Punto Oro grade that’s sandblasted for only $400.

View attachment 384912

Then for just $120 you can buy a smooth Trevio grade.

View attachment 384913

I know there’s pipe smokers who prefer a sandblasted pipe.

To me, all the fully sandblasted pipes look very similar.

How do you judge the difference between a $40 Baronet grade and a $400 Punto Oro grade blast?

I’m sure they use a better (although not Pre 54 Algerian) grade of briar in the $400 pipe than the $40 pipe, and more care by better craftsmen, but how can you tell?

Savinelli does not cheat their customers, or else they’d not be long in business,

I look for a blast that showcases both straight and cross grain. I look for an even cross grain that isn’t lumpy or inconsistent. I want the blast to be detailed and not too shallow for lack of a better word.

Like a woman I find attractive; sure it’s eyes and hair and curves but to express why requires deep analysis and detailed explanation and I just don’t have the inclination for that so, in addition to my above statement, I’ll just say I know it when I see it.

 

[Briar Lee]

Please rate my genuine sand blasted Nording #5 grade.




Why is that one a 5 and not a 3 or a 7?

 

[Auxsender]

Please rate my genuine sand blasted Nording #5 grade.

View attachment 384999View attachment 385000
View attachment 385001

Why is that one a 5 and not a 3 or a 7?

Meh.
In my opinion, this blast is too chaotic and doesn’t showcase the ring grain. Perhaps this piece of wood isn’t ideal for showcasing ring grain. I frankly am not knowledgeable enough to say.
I just know this is a “would not buy” for me because of the way the blast looks.

 

[Auxsender]

I like the way this blast looks. I wish it were a bit deeper and more defined but I generally like it.

 

[sablebrush52]

First, with regards to the difference in sandblasting. More moderately sandblasted pipes lack the detail of more expensive pipes. the same level of workmanship doesn't go into them:

As for the Nording, his handmades go up to 20, and the higher grades are smooths.

Here's a 15:

 

[Auxsender]

I like this blast too.

 

[Briarcutter]

Please rate my genuine sand blasted Nording #5 grade.

View attachment 384999View attachment 385000
View attachment 385001

Why is that one a 5 and not a 3 or a 7?

Your Nording could be another example of rustication and blast. The grading could be due to the size and/or the design of the top,smooth or plateau. it doesn't follow the typical blast lines. Sometimes the wood just does not blast well and not all wood will show that beautiful "ring" pattern. The blast rings are perpendicular to the straight grain and cross cut blast very differently that straight grain. It's hard to tell on your Nording without actually holding it in hand for a closer look.

Here's another example of the "rings" many collectors look for.

 

[jguss]

As with most things the beauty of a given sandblast is very much in the eye of the beholder. I personally like the gnarly primitive sandblasts found on Dunhill Shells from the twenties.

As an example here’s a 1924 pot (R21) restored for me by George Dibos:







I think it's lovely. Others may be unmoved or appalled. De gustibus non est disputandum.

(photos taken by George D).

 

[Briarcutter]

As with most things the beauty of a given sandblast is very much in the eye of the beholder. I personally like the gnarly primitive sandblasts found on Dunhill Shells from the twenties.

As an example here’s a 1924 pot (R21) restored for me by George Dibos:

View attachment 385065

View attachment 385066

View attachment 385068

I think it's lovely. Others may be unmoved or appalled. De gustibus non est disputandum.

(photos taken by George D).

Nothing like the old Shells! Barlings did some pretty nice blasting as well in their day.

 

[Briar Lee]

This needs a new stem (actually a button) but it’s a middle 20s Parker Super Briar Bark.

 

[Briarcutter]

This needs a new stem (actually a button) but it’s a middle 20s Parker Super Briar Bark.

View attachment 385081View attachment 385082View attachment 385083View attachment 385084

That would be a cross cut blast. Nice piece!

 

[Briar Lee]

That would be a cross cut blast. Nice piece!

I love it that it tastes Algerian, zesty, spicy, one of them there gooderns!.

When you say cross blast, to me it looks like it was a straight grain and blasted.

Also, it’s heavily stained.