Sav Gaius 320

[darwin]

I just pushed the button on a Sav Gaius 320 smooth.
http://www.smokingpipes.com/pipes/new/savinelli/moreinfo.cfm?Product_ID=149811
Anyone have any experience with the Gaius 320? I know JimInks has one that I think he likes.

 

[daimyo]

Very nice grab darwin. I have been lusting after a 320 for quite some time and never seem to end up with one. I hear nothing but good things about the shape though.

 

[darwin]

SP has several Gaius 320s on the site. I picked the one that had the prettiest grain and was the lightest.

 

[JimInks]

Darwin: I don't like the Gauis 320. I love it! It's a perfect clencher, well balanced and sharp looking. Just a terrific pipe.

 

[darwin]

Good to hear. Thanks. I wobbled back and forth between the Gaius and a Rattray Chubby Jockey for quite a while. Nothing against the Chubby but I think I made the right decision. The "army mount" stem eases some of the slightly overbearing visual heft of the standard 320 shape.

 

[JimInks]

I was always very partial to military mount pipes; I have a lot of them. This 320 is a really good smoker, and the balance is so good that it makes the pipe seem lighter than it is. I've devoted it to straight Virginias, particularly FVF. I have several pipes I smoke FVF in, but this one seems to be the one I keep wanting when I smoke FVF these days. I have been tempted to smoke Saint James Flake in it, but no, I have a winning combination going, so I'm not breaking something that's fixed! :D

 

[darwin]

Been wondering what blend I should try first. I think I have my answer.

 

[ravkesef]

They have two left on the site one smooth and one rusticated , and it's taking all my will power to hold back.

 

[JimInks]

Get the smooth one, Eric! It's a winner!

 

[ssjones]

I have always liked the 320, but really like it with that military mount stem.

 

[curl]

Nice pipe.

An army mount just seems more natural, more functional to me on a big pipe.

 

[darwin]

Well it's not an actual army mount, just a standard Sav tenon/mortise setup, but the salutary effect on the lines of the pipe can't be denied. Makes me wonder how many army mounts I see in the catalogs are merely cosmetic.

 

[antbauers]

Althought it's not a true army mount, in terms of friction fit vs standard mortise/tenon, would the cap still help in being able to remove the stem while hot without damaging it?

 

[philobeddoe]

That is a fine looking Briar. I love the author shape, it just seems to feel right, I hope it smokes as well as it looks, congratulations Darwin.

 

[darwin]

As far as the cap helping to keep the shank from cracking I doubt it makes much difference. The briar is so thick there that cracking is unlikely to be a problem even if the shank were of a normal configuration. I'd nevertheless want to observe the same cool-down precautions as I do with any other pipe because although the shank might not be harmed by hot removal the tenon very well could be.

 

[antbauers]

Agreed...In that case spigots are the best way to go.

 

[JimInks]

Even with silver spigots and Peterson military mounts, I wait until the pipe is cool. I never take chances.

 

[antbauers]

If I had your pipes, I wouldn't either. :mrgreen:

 

[docwatson]

Really nice deviation on the 320 shape. Very nice choice you made. Enjoy

 

[darwin]

Well I've had a few bowls through the Gaius now and it is a very sweet handful and a fine smoker despite having the shank drilling well off the bottom of the bowl. Gonna be something of a dottle factory but that's not a particularly big deal as long as it doesn't affect the smoke.