What ? HUH ?? You serious? I just saw this post now, after writing the above comments. If true, I wonder when Castello will use up their Mimmo supply. If they haven't already. And poor Mimmo, I hope he got all the sand out.
What Is So Great About Castellos
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What ? HUH ?? You serious? I just saw this post now, after writing the above comments. If true, I wonder when Castello will use up their Mimmo supply. If they haven't already. And poor Mimmo, I hope he got all the sand out.
I had the good fortune to buy some high grade Mimmo briar with about 10 years on it (most of it was purchased in 08 and sat, I bought it in 2018). Compared to fresh wood, it was much harder, and a uniform golden brown all the way through, where new it is white with a sort of pinky/copper hue to it. Cutting it, the smell is sweet and a little yeasty, Rainer Barbi spoke of good briar smelling like baking bread and this is not far off. I don't know what's happening to briar as it sits, it sort of petrifies/oxydizes. If you look at most pipes where you can see the briar raw, in an uncoated chamber, you'll see very white briar. Radice, Don Carlos, etc. You look in a Castello, it's brown, always, never white. Truly ready.
It's not about price or mystique for me, I'm not here to brag about my Castello collection. I have a few now. Sea Rocks mostly, the cheapest. I've bought lots of 300 dollar pipes and found them adequate or not on their own merits. The last really expensive pipe I bought I hate, I hate how it tastes, it's a real disappointment for me. Not a Castello. I will say my last Castello is drilled a touch high in the bowl, I'm a little disappointed, but the pipe smokes dry and tastes fantastic, so ... okay.
No one is saying no other pipes are ever good (hell as a pipe maker myself I'm not doing my brand any favors coming here and shilling for Castello). No one is saying only Castello are magic. Most of 'em seem to smoke great, for those of us who think that's a thing. That's a real accomplishment in the pipe making world, being known not so much for radical shaping or some patented finish, or making bits 15% thinner than anyone else. Just being the tool of choice for a lot of guys who care.... that's a big deal. It's very, very difficult to set your brand apart as a pipe maker. To do so "only" by making really reliable pipes is almost brave.
It's not about price or mystique for me, I'm not here to brag about my Castello collection. I have a few now. Sea Rocks mostly, the cheapest. I've bought lots of 300 dollar pipes and found them adequate or not on their own merits. The last really expensive pipe I bought I hate, I hate how it tastes, it's a real disappointment for me. Not a Castello. I will say my last Castello is drilled a touch high in the bowl, I'm a little disappointed, but the pipe smokes dry and tastes fantastic, so ... okay.
No one is saying no other pipes are ever good (hell as a pipe maker myself I'm not doing my brand any favors coming here and shilling for Castello). No one is saying only Castello are magic. Most of 'em seem to smoke great, for those of us who think that's a thing. That's a real accomplishment in the pipe making world, being known not so much for radical shaping or some patented finish, or making bits 15% thinner than anyone else. Just being the tool of choice for a lot of guys who care.... that's a big deal. It's very, very difficult to set your brand apart as a pipe maker. To do so "only" by making really reliable pipes is almost brave.
I never set out to collect Castellos, but in the 17 years since I bought my first one I just kept finding pieces that I had to have and their smoking properties are such that I‘ve sold very few. The current count is 19, ranging from Sea Rocks to Fiammatas, and I have more Castellos in my collection than any other maker. Between Ebay and all the online retailers I must look at well over 1000 Castellos a year and 999 don’t grab me, so I‘m not saying every Castello ever made is the perfect pipe. But the ones that do grab me have been excellent smokers across the board. For me, only Jesse Jones pipes have a better bought vs still own percentage. Here are my Castellos:
Well, sometimes you can teach an old dog new tricks. Some of you guys definitely changed my mind on Castellos. I really like this one as I only like the smaller pipes (~ 50 grams) and they need to be bent smooth apple shapes. I'm a clencher-guy The price is not bad at all - yes It's a estate). The only thing I'm not sure on is the acrylic stem as i really like the subtle softness of vulcanite.
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Italian Estates Castello Collection Bent Apple (K) (2009) | Buy Italian Estates Tobacco Pipes at Smokingpipes.com
Smokingpipes.com is your one stop shop for Italian Estates Castello Collection Bent Apple (K) (2009) Tobacco Pipes and all your tobacco smoking needs. From new tobacco pipes and estate tobacco pipes to tin pipe tobacco and bulk pipe tobacco, we have everything you need
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I was just gonna say 285 is too much for an estate but I paid more for my Barling so I'll just shut up. LOL
very similar but new at 500 USD
'Castello' Bent Apple (KK) | Buy Castello Tobacco Pipes at Smokingpipes.com
Smokingpipes.com is your one stop shop for 'Castello' Bent Apple (KK) Tobacco Pipes and all your tobacco smoking needs. From new tobacco pipes and estate tobacco pipes to tin pipe tobacco and bulk pipe tobacco, we have everything you need
www.smokingpipes.com
Well, sometimes you can teach an old dog new tricks. Some of you guys definitely changed my mind on Castellos. I really like this one as I only like the smaller pipes (~ 50 grams) and they need to be bent smooth apple shapes. The price is not bad at all - yes It's a estate). The only thing I'm not sure on is the acrylic stem as i really like the subtle softness of vulcanite.
Italian Estates Castello Collection Bent Apple (K) (2009) | Buy Italian Estates Tobacco Pipes at Smokingpipes.com
Smokingpipes.com is your one stop shop for Italian Estates Castello Collection Bent Apple (K) (2009) Tobacco Pipes and all your tobacco smoking needs. From new tobacco pipes and estate tobacco pipes to tin pipe tobacco and bulk pipe tobacco, we have everything you need
That‘s a beautiful shape. One thing you’ll find with estate Castellos (most of mine where bought as estates) is that the newer ones marked “Kino” in a circle tend to have more a prominent button compared to the older ones marked “Carlo Scotti” in a circle. The change in nomenclature happened in 2007 and that seems to be when the change in button style happened as well. Personally I find the older button style to be more comfortable but that is just my preference.
I've had big and small buttons, all over the place, on old and new Castellos. I don't know if there's any rhyme or reason.
Also, Kola, if you look at tabacheria corti, one of the sponsors here, the new prices are literally at least 100 bucks less than stateside. I was all in, taxes, everything, pipe brought to my door by courier, for 300 bucks on this one: Pipe Castello - 'Sea Rock Briar' KKKK Shape 97 - Tabaccheria Corti Lecco - Online Shop - https://tabaccheriacorti.com/gb/pipes/3572-pipe-castello-sea-rock-briar-kkkk-shape-97.html
I'd love that 2009 estate with a custom red cumberland stem. Real cumberland, But that would run me another 150-200 bucks (or more) for a custom stem.
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OK, so I've had my first smoke (MacBaren's HH Pure Virginnia Flake) in my 1st Castello (a 4K Trade Mark 1/4 bent squat bulldog). It is everything everyone on the forums said it would be. Only regret I didn't get one earlier. Now waiting eagerly on delivery of a NOS Carlo Scotti Searock shape 93 (from the 80s). To think I could have gotten a new Castello instead of the 3 Petersons (nice enough, but NOT the same smoking experience) bought in the past few months ! Well, you live and learn, and it definitely pays to listen to opinions of the wiser members on this forum
I bit...I blame it all on you enablers...I've actually been sort of looking for a estate Castello...But I've good boy so... Direct from aforementioned Corti fellas for 211 yoo-ros, to my door in three days.
I think it smokes great, the craftmanship is excellent...I'm not a big fan of acrylic stems, and am having a thought about treating the outside with beeswax ( I just shudder at untreated wood... comes from having a wood boat)
All said, I'm happy
I think it smokes great, the craftmanship is excellent...I'm not a big fan of acrylic stems, and am having a thought about treating the outside with beeswax ( I just shudder at untreated wood... comes from having a wood boat)
All said, I'm happy
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@workman
Have you read ‘The Myth of Brand and Maker in Pipesmoking’ by Dr. Fred Hanna?
SPC Article on Dr. Hanna.
www.smokingpipes.com
Have you read ‘The Myth of Brand and Maker in Pipesmoking’ by Dr. Fred Hanna?
SPC Article on Dr. Hanna.
Meet Fred Hanna, Doctor of Pipes | Smokingpipes.com
Read our interview with Fred Hanna, Doctor of Pipes and author of Pipe focused books such as <em>The Perfect Smoke</em>.
www.smokingpipes.com
Yes, and now one more time. I'm sure he's right about the psychological mechanisms behind our percieved experiences.@workman
Have you read ‘The Myth of Brand and Maker in Pipesmoking’ by Dr. Fred Hanna?
SPC Article on Dr. Hanna.
Meet Fred Hanna, Doctor of Pipes | Smokingpipes.com
Read our interview with Fred Hanna, Doctor of Pipes and author of Pipe focused books such as <em>The Perfect Smoke</em>.
He also has a theory on briar and soil, which may or may not be true, I dunno.
As long as the airway is smooth and clear, a pipe will smoke great
I agree. I also think the design of the mouthpiece is imperative to a good smoking experience.
The rest is aesthetics.
That's why I prefer vulcanite. I only smoke with my dentures out and acrylic is painful.
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