Show Us Your Savinelli Pipes!

[TheIronMonkey]

I certainly don't know enough to argue the validity of what Savinelli told me in that email, but it's always interesting to find when companies don't fully know the history of their own lines. I can say when I purchased my Gold from SP, they said the batch of them (I think they had about 50-100 Punto Oro Gold pipes and two or three just "Gold" stamped pipes in the lot), had been located in storage at the Savinelli factory warehouse. Savinelli couldn't put a date on when the lots were placed into storage but they said all of the pipes were manufactured between the 1970s and 1990s. These were all sold off between about 2021 and 2023 as "Legacy Stock" on the SP US and EU websites.

Once I received my pipe, I went on a mission to find out as much as I could about that line...and there just wasn't much info out there. Savinelli told me the Punto Oro line accounts for approximately 1.5% of the total production per annum and the Punto Oro Gold is much less than that...they added the line marked just "Gold" without Punto Oro would have been even a smaller percentage than both the Punto Oro and Punto Oro Gold, adding they were "hand picked" to get the "Gold" label. I have no way of knowing if all that is 100% correct, but it's certainly interesting.

To confuse the masses even more, here's a link to a beautiful Savinelli on SP (sold) that has no series stamp but is a Silver Two Dot version of the Golds. The finish and ring grain appear equal and it's a stunning example of what Savinelli can/could put out.

https://www.smokingpipes.com/pipes/estate/italy/moreinfo.cfm?product_id=567359

Blake

Here's a pic in case you can't open the link.
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I seem to recall “Punto Oro Gold” is priced lower than a plain “Punto Oro”—therefore a lower tiered pipe—so I would question that info as well. I could be mistaken. I probably have a list on my computer that has the tiers laid out and will check later.

The silver version looks like it’s from the same period as the gold (the textured band even matches some of the gold releases).

Savinelli will sometimes do things to salvage pipes to keep them “special.” The first two smooth Luisa Fiammata limited edition pipes (a 904 and 920) from a couple of years ago would’ve been Giubileo d’Oro grade, but had small flaws on the shanks that prevented them from receiving that appellation—silver bands were added to cover the flaws and the pipes were issued in special wood boxes; this kind of preserved their higher quality and allowed them to sell these special pipes at a premium .

 

[Dshift]

No one has bought a pipe from Italy or Germany recently & experienced "customs problems"? I paid a customs duty/tariff on a Savinelli pipe from their Italy website. I also bought a pipe from an online tobacco store in Germany. DUMB!! Short story: after 1 month filling out complicated DHL carrier forms for customs in NYC (& approved by DHL), pipe sent back to Germany. Stupid!! It looks like I'm confined to USA!! Is that the purpose of the administration's tariff? I succumb.

This is mostly because of tarrifs - from what I understand, any commercial goods or even gifts with a value of over 100$ should be impossible to be sent from Germany to the US... Unless you know a private individual in Germany, who has a questionable respect for authority and would send you something as a gift and declare it with lower value, you will be confined in the us market

 

[Dshift]

I seem to recall “Punto Oro Gold” is priced lower than a plain “Punto Oro”—therefore a lower tiered pipe—so I would question that info as well. I could be mistaken. I probably have a list on my computer that has the tiers laid out and will check later.

The silver version looks like it’s from the same period as the gold (the textured band even matches some of the gold releases).

Savinelli will sometimes do things to salvage pipes to keep them “special.” The first two smooth Luisa Fiammata limited edition pipes (a 904 and 920) from a couple of years ago would’ve been Giubileo d’Oro grade, but had small flaws on the shanks that prevented them from receiving that appellation—silver bands were added to cover the flaws and the pipes were issued in special wood boxes; this kind of preserved their higher quality and allowed them to sell these special pipes at a premium .

I actually like it when companies do these crafty things - if it was a great pipe to begin with and the only problem was a very small blemish, them good for them for figuring out a way to show off the pipe in the best light possible.

 

[Dshift]

@AusTex1604 thank you so much for your input on the line! No matter if what Savinelli said was true or not, you provided a lot more info than what I managed to find so far online. I am already used to the idea that most things about pipes are bound to be anecdotal and not 100% factually proven so it's up to us to put it through our own prisms and decide what what we consider as more or less likely.

 

[dejavueagain]

This is mostly because of tarrifs - from what I understand, any commercial goods or even gifts with a value of over 100$ should be impossible to be sent from Germany to the US... Unless you know a private individual in Germany, who has a questionable respect for authority and would send you something as a gift and declare it with lower value, you will be confined in the us market

I think we are on the same page....geez.

 

[AusTex1604]

@AusTex1604 thank you so much for your input on the line! No matter if what Savinelli said was true or not, you provided a lot more info than what I managed to find so far online. I am already used to the idea that most things about pipes are bound to be anecdotal and not 100% factually proven so it's up to us to put it through our own prisms and decide what what we consider as more or less likely.

I think you are 100% correct unless you’re dealing with a company that kept immaculate records (not too many of those).

During my quest for information I had one persons from Savinelli tell me the pipes stamped Gold (not PO), were just PO Gold without the PO stamp. Another person at Savinelli told me there was no doubt in her mind that the Gold series was separate and independent from the PO line - but seriously, to my eye, I’m not seeing a lot of difference between the Gold and the PO Gold. At this point I don’t much care, all I know is they look gorgeous and they smoke like a champ. I’ve got a Punto Oro (single dot) military mount that also smokes like a dream. In my opinion, it’s hard to go wrong with any of those, especially if you get a good deal!

Ps: there are a couple of informative threads on this forum (circa 2022/2023) about the two dot Savinelli pipes (that both Iron Monkey and I were involved with). Fun to read but take the info with a grain of salt.
Blake

 

[dejavueagain]

Too many to show! Haha. Here's a few:

Impero Smooth 111KS

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Spigot Sterling 315KS Bordeaux

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202 Tandem

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Qandale 315KS:


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Also Have:

Porto Cervo Rusticated 122
De Luxe Milano Smooth 121 EX
Spigot Sterling 315KS Natural
Roma 315EX
Trevi 904 Smooth
New Art 920
Punto Oro Smooth 320
Punto Oro Smooth Amber 614
Estella 412KS
Quercia 115 JU

I think that's it?

Love Savinelli's KS & EX pipes..especially a discontinued 114EX estate found in great condition.

 

[dejavueagain]

My new Savenilli 673ks Red AligatorView attachment 8643

What is it about the alligator surface that you find appealing? Curious. I prefer smooth & occasionally rusticated. To each his own, of course.

 

[dejavueagain]

Green Alligator

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Another alligator.....? What is it about that surface?

 

[dejavueagain]

I don't know what it is about Sav Gators, but they're the one finish I Just Can't Stand. Go figure....

similar reaction...

 

[dejavueagain]

I snagged this Savinelli Riviera Rusticated (315 KS) (9mm) with sterling silver band back in November 2019 and it has quickly become a favorite.

& my Siena & Roma are as fabulous.

 

[Dshift]

Another alligator.....? What is it about that surface?

Even though I find the finish ugly as hell too, let's not forget that if it's here on this thread, it's probably someone's favorite pipe... So hunting down all posts of Savinelli alligators just to comment on how much you dislike the finish isn't the most polite thing you can do.

 

[dejavueagain]

Savinelli 673ks rusticated Dolmiti, Oceano, Roma Lucite, Fantasia, Tortuga, skip the Pete lying on its side, last one is a Savinelli Porto Cervo 404 Zulu rusticated (my beater).

View attachment 26539

Same shape, different versions....& I'm starting to do the same. with canadiens, princes & pots preferably in KS. What fun chain smoking them.

 

[dejavueagain]

Newest addition to the stable, Savinelli Roma Lucite 804 Canadian

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Love the Canadian....have a Tortuga & a Roma...just elegant & smokes smoothly....both with 6mm.

 

[dejavueagain]

Even though I find the finish ugly as hell too, let's not forget that if it's here on this thread, it's probably someone's favorite pipe... So hunting down all posts of Savinelli alligators just to comment on how much you dislike the finish isn't the most polite thing you can do.

Even though I find the finish ugly as hell too, let's not forget that if it's here on this thread, it's probably someone's favorite pipe... So hunting down all posts of Savinelli alligators just to comment on how much you dislike the finish isn't the most polite thing you can do.

Did NOT mean disrespect. Not my comment (ugly as hell). Seeking what makes it attractive/appealing to some folks.

 

[Hillcrest]

Dear gods, how do people live with p-lip mouthpieces? I am not liking it at all and am minded to attack it with abrasive tools to modify it into something civilized. Apart from that, it's ok.

I have the 2614KS like that and its 42 yrs old. Either you like that stem or you don't. (I do). Just a suggestion before hacking it up ... try a softee bit pulled over the opening. It changes it to something closer to fishtail. Worth trying for under a pound and a temporary quickfix. I smoke mine both ways, Best wishes.