Bought this Castello estate pipe off eBay. Waiting on it to arrive from Israel.
Show Off Your Castello Pipes Here!
- Thread starter smokeybear
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Bought this Castello estate pipe off eBay. Waiting on it to arrive from Israel.
Oh man I saw that! Glad it ended up with someone here.
I love Castellos. Sad I missed visiting the factory when we were in Italy years ago. I don't have one with such a deep bowl so looking forward to trying this one out.
Castello Crew, I need your thoughts.
Anyone know if finding this finish in a shape 11 will be pretty hard to do? I really like the look of this 10 but would much rather have it in a shape 11.
tabaccheriacorti.com
Anyone know if finding this finish in a shape 11 will be pretty hard to do? I really like the look of this 10 but would much rather have it in a shape 11.
Pipe Castello - Old Antiquari KK Shape 10 - Tabaccheria Corti Lecco - Online Shop
Pipe Castello - Old Antiquari KK Shape 10
tabaccheriacorti.com
A lot of people like the "Natural Virgin" finish on some Castello pipes. Or, the same finish, called whatever, on other brands. Supposedly these pipe are not stained and may or may not have a coat of wax. That's it. Here's the problem. They may look pretty when new, but unlike some other finishes they do not age well. The oils and dirt from your fingers and elsewhere will penetrate into the wood and pretty soon you have a pipe the just looks dirty and ugly. But hey, each to his own.Castello Crew, I need your thoughts.
Anyone know if finding this finish in a shape 11 will be pretty hard to do? I really like the look of this 10 but would much rather have it in a shape 11.
Pipe Castello - Old Antiquari KK Shape 10 - Tabaccheria Corti Lecco - Online Shop
Pipe Castello - Old Antiquari KK Shape 10
A lot of people like the "Natural Virgin" finish on some Castello pipes. Or, the same finish, called whatever, on other brands. Supposedly these pipe are not stained and may or may not have a coat of wax. That's it. Here's the problem. They may look pretty when new, but unlike some other finishes they do not age well. The oils and dirt from your fingers and elsewhere will penetrate into the wood and pretty soon you have a pipe the just looks dirty and ugly. But hey, each to his own.
View attachment 237114
That's a point of personal opinion - like meerschaum pipes, the people who like the natural vergin finishes often also like the way they dirty over time.
Good point! Do you have any pics of smoked ones (or know where I can find some)?A lot of people like the "Natural Virgin" finish on some Castello pipes. Or, the same finish, called whatever, on other brands. Supposedly these pipe are not stained and may or may not have a coat of wax. That's it. Here's the problem. They may look pretty when new, but unlike some other finishes they do not age well. The oils and dirt from your fingers and elsewhere will penetrate into the wood and pretty soon you have a pipe the just looks dirty and ugly. But hey, each to his own.
View attachment 237114
Here is one of mine, quite well smoked. You can see a dark spot on the back of the bowl where my thumb rests. Also the opposite side of the bowl is darker than the side visible in the pic as I’m right handed so that’s the side that my fingers and palm contact.
Wow, this was a virgin/natural finish to start? That looks great!
Can vouch for the virgin finish and they colour just like a Meerschaum. Here is mine new and its current colouring.
I do like pipes with natural finishes or where only a light stain was applied but one thing, I really don't like is that bowl rims on the aforementioned types of pipes are very prone to darkening. theres sem to be no way to prevent it ,I have several pipes with more or less natural finishes ,mostly ashton&dunhill brand ,bowl rims on all these turned to dark. some people say cold coffee and meticulous rubbing with microfiber cloth may help to remove those darkening and soothing.
Other than darkening with the rest of the pipe, I've noticed no unusual darkening. This one was unstained.
Wow, I'm really impressed! could you recommend any efficient way of cleaning those darkened rims?
If they've got significant buildup, coffee, lemon juice, water, or saliva with a coarse paper towel will clean them up.
There are "true" virgin finished and then there are those that are just called "virgin" but actually are not. The latter lack a stain but do have a coating of shellac that seals them and helps to keep them clean looking and makes them color like any other pipe.
p.s. There is a myth that all the "good" pipe makers don't use shellac on their pipes. Don't believe it, almost all do.
p.s. There is a myth that all the "good" pipe makers don't use shellac on their pipes. Don't believe it, almost all do.
My latest; a pre K Era 55 fiammata ;
View attachment 243213
First post, longtime lurker. So I’ve been into pipe smoking for a few years now. I started with my buddy here in TN Pete Prevost’s pipes and still love them. Then got into Savinelli, and a Dunhill kick and enjoyed hunting patent era estate pieces . After reading several posts on here I decided to try a Castello. Luca at T. Corti was an amazing tour guide. I decided if I’m going to get my first “55” I might as well go with a Cadillac. This is a 4K Fiammata with bark style top. I joked with Luca that it feels like power steering on a pipe it draws so smooth. There truly is something special about these pipes. New favs for sure
First post, longtime lurker. So I’ve been into pipe smoking for a few years now. I started with my buddy here in TN Pete Prevost’s pipes and still love them. Then got into Savinelli, and a Dunhill kick and enjoyed hunting patent era estate pieces . After reading several posts on here I decided to try a Castello. Luca at T. Corti was an amazing tour guide. I decided if I’m going to get my first “55” I might as well go with a Cadillac. This is a 4K Fiammata with bark style top. I joked with Luca that it feels like power steering on a pipe it draws so smooth. There truly is something special about these pipes. New favs for sure