Savinelli - Annoying Experience

[Searock Fan]

When I had a shop years ago, every year I would order several dozen of the Savinelli "specials". These were their lower grade pipes that came in an assortment of shapes and fainshes and they would put your store name on them at no charge. They were a pretty good deal and sold well at $39.95. I have about a dozen in my collection and because they take the balsa I use them to smoke aromatics and anything else that isn't English. They're all good smokers.

The thing is, the rather inexpensie pipes are all good smokers, but the time I added a $300 autograph to my collection, what a disappointment. It was a terrible smoke. So, you don't always get what you pay for in pipes.

p.s. I've never had a Castello that didn't smoke like a dream! Maybe that has something to do with their reputation. Ya think?

 

[burleybreath]

The thing is, the rather inexpensie pipes are all good smokers, but the time I added a $300 autograph to my collection, what a disappointment. It was a terrible smoke. So, you don't always get what you pay for in pipes

On the other hand, I have an alleged Autograph reject, a second or something, called a "Hand Made" that is beyond any doubt one of the best smoking pipes I own. Wish I had a sackful of them. However, I'm afraid to check the tenon now for its method of construction.

 

[Tabacco]

Wait! Savinelli can have problem?

This month I have purchased 8 Savinelli pipes, all Punto Oro.
One, a 614, was improperly drilled, the draft hole was off to the right and high.
Two have the gold dot off from the centerline of the stem. OK this is only esthetical but still odd.
So, in short, 37.5% defect rate on their top tier line after the Giubileo.

And, by the way, I had to pay to send the 614 back to SP.

Great smokers though, and beautiful pipes with above average grain (especially considering the price) IMHO.

 

[sandollars]

I really love their 315ks style and have several as daily smokers.

 

[anotherbob]

This month I have purchased 8 Savinelli pipes, all Punto Oro.
One, a 614, was improperly drilled, the draft hole was off to the right and high.
Two have the gold dot off from the centerline of the stem. OK this is only esthetical but still odd.
So, in short, 37.5% defect rate on their top tier line after the Giubileo.

And, by the way, I had to pay to send the 614 back to SP.

Great smokers though, and beautiful pipes with above average grain (especially considering the price) IMHO.

if it smokes great how can the draft hole be wrong? Though 614 is pretty much the shape of pipe I prefer.

 

[Tabacco]

if it smokes great how can the draft hole be wrong? Though 614 is pretty much the shape of pipe I prefer.

As I said I returned the 614 that was drilled sideway so I do not know how would have smoked.
My comment about how great they smoke was about the other ones.

 

[anotherbob]

As I said I returned the 614 that was drilled sideway so I do not know how would have smoked.
My comment about how great they smoke was about the other ones.

that makes more sense.

 

[Tabacco]

......614 is pretty much the shape of pipe I prefer.

By the way, two of the ones I kept are are 614's.

 

[anotherbob]

By the way, two of the ones I kept are are 614's.

I am certainly a sucker for bent pipes. Some where in the back of my mind, that shape is the "pipe shape".

 

[felix Cappuccio]

Hello Everyone,
New member, but I'm wondering if there's an easy fix to my issue. I recently went to SmokingPipes.com and purchased a relatively expensive Savinelli Autograph for $268 along with a number of other accessories and some Drucquer & Sons Loch Ness Pipe Tobacco (which is really good), to explore some pipe smoking action. Everything was going great until I went to remove the stem from my pipe and it came apart. The inner sleeve separated from the mouthpiece, and now the only way to remove the stem is with a pair of pliers, wrapping a rubber band around it to keep it from getting damaged. I was hoping by spending some money on a known brand, it would be pretty straight forward, but I'm super disappointed that I now have an issue to deal with. I reached out to SmokingPipes.com to see if they would honor the product since I spent nearly $500 with them, but I was about to take a trip and excited to bring my pipe with me, but now I'm out of luck. It's too late to order another pipe and get it here before I leave, and I'm wondering if there's an easy fix to this. Attached are some pictures to demonstrate what I'm talking about: View attachment 147191

View attachment 147192

View attachment 147193

Try sending it to JM Boswell tobacconist they do great pipe repairs.

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

p.s. I've never had a Castello that didn't smoke like a dream! Maybe that has something to do with their reputation. Ya think?

While Castello certainly deserves their reputation, the primary difference between Castello and a $40 Savinelli is Castello uses a 4mm drill bit in the stem instead of a 3mm drill bit.
Every Savinelli coming off the line could be practically as good as a Castello if they would just swap the size of one tool.

 

[sasquatch]

While Castello certainly deserves their reputation, the primary difference between Castello and a $40 Savinelli is Castello uses a 4mm drill bit in the stem instead of a 3mm drill bit.
Every Savinelli coming off the line could be practically as good as a Castello if they would just swap the size of one tool.

And drill to pass a pipe cleaner. And get rid of the filter system. But yeah. Sure.

 

[Searock Fan]

While Castello certainly deserves their reputation, the primary difference between Castello and a $40 Savinelli is Castello uses a 4mm drill bit in the stem instead of a 3mm drill bit.
Every Savinelli coming off the line could be practically as good as a Castello if they would just swap the size of one tool.

The larger draft hole helps prevent moisture build up in the stem.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Try sending it to JM Boswell tobacconist they do great pipe repairs.

A seller's rep has responded earlier in the thread. No need for an outside repair service!

 

[seanv]

I received a Punto Oro 641KS yesterday finally. The chamber has two imperfections in it. I emailed the retailer last night and am waiting on a reply about returning the pipe. Total bummer and I definitely expected better from Savinelli.

 

[jpmcwjr]

I received a Punto Oro 641KS yesterday finally. The chamber has two imperfections in it. I emailed the retailer last night and am waiting on a reply about returning the pipe. Total bummer and I definitely expected better from Savinelli.View attachment 148765View attachment 148766

Really?? A couple of small pits? Those should cake over nicely and won't be a problem if smoked right.

 

[seanv]

Really?? A couple of small pits? Those should cake over nicely and won't be a problem if smoked right.

You would be satisfied with that? If I ordered an entry level model, maybe but not a Punto Oro

 

[jpmcwjr]

You would be satisfied with that? If I ordered an entry level model, maybe but not a Punto Oro

It would not be a problem for me at all.

Some folks- not pointing at you- spend too much time on how symmetrical every aspect of the pipe is.

 

[seanv]

It would not be a problem for me at all.

Some folks- not pointing at you- spend too much time on how symmetrical every aspect of the pipe is.

Fair point. Maybe my expectations are too high, but in this case I don't think so

 

[hawky454]

Yeah, that sucks but shit happens, once this moment passes, it will be just a faint memory. As said before, SPC will definitely make it right.