Why Savinelli?
- Thread starter northernneil
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Fair enough.
The 5mm space comment was a bit of an exaggeration, I just happen to have a Briarworks Classic sitting here that's "supposed" to have the tenon spaced much closer, and it's not. Oddly enough Briarworks seems to have taken down their technical glossary page that outlines their production standards, which is a bit disappointing since it was a good read. (Maybe they decided the Classic line couldn't hit an affordable price and keep the full extent of their high standards?)
I've seen enough resources that say the tenon should be chamfered that I assume at least some of the best pipemakers out there think that even a small space should still have a chamfer. That said, when I Google "Briarworks Chamfer" the second result (https://www.smokingpipes.com/pipes/new/Briarworks/moreinfo.cfm?product_id=156079) is a Neptune (high end Briarworks) pipe that says in the description that it does not have a chamfer on the tenon, though the exact meaning is a bit vague, it really does bring up the question all over again: How much space in the shank do you need before the tenon should have a chamfer?
In addition to the quality of the Savinelli pipes, there is their good distribution. Unlike many brands that I greatly enjoy, several of our sponsor online retailers carry really expansive selections of Sav's at a wide range of price levels, filter and no-filter, all sizes and shapes. So if you are sending a friend or new pipe smoker to pick out something they like, there's a rather good chance they'll find it. Other brands less rigorously distributed, there are good selections, but often nothing comparable to Sav. So you're not asking someone to accept your particular preferences in a limited inventory of thirty pipes. The options are nearly vast; it's just a matter of settling on one, or two. Likewise, Savs are widely represented in pipe shops and at pipe shows.
Only four of my twelve Savinellis have a place for the balsa wood inserts. I sometimes will use the inserts, sometimes not. I'm pretty sure that the plastic thing that reduces the airways are long gone. But, my Savinellis smoke as well as my Beckers, and even better than my Dunhills. I am of the camp that there is a system of smoke shop beliefs that have developed around selling more expensive pipes with a bunch of ideas that don't exactly pan out with all of us smokers.
"Filters, bleh," the big swinging balls that cozy up to the counters looking at Dunnies.
"Do you have any Savinellis?"
"Sure, they are the best of Italian factory pipes."
"But, these have filters."
"Yes, but they are magnificent pipes. Smokers always have a few Savinellis?"
"This Former for $1800 doesn't pass a pipe cleaner."
"That's ok. Former knows what he is doing when he makes his pipes."
It's all pretty much bullcrap. Engineering? There's more engineering Ina ballpoint pen. Two holes that meet up somewhere.
Sure, some pipes may smoke terrible for one guy, but then he trades it to someone and they think it's their best smoker. That happens all the time on here and in real life. And, this tells me that most of the "engineering" is in the technique of the smoker. We don't want to tell ourselves that we suck at smoking a particular pipe, so we blame it on the tool. And, what I like about Savinellis is that they smoke differently whether I use a balsa insert to dry my smoke (not a filter), just smoke it open, or find an insert thing and use that. Three pipes in one. And, I get to practice adjusting to the pipe each time, working on MY technique.
I have a range of pipes, and I've invested quite a bit in high end factory, artisan, and crap pipes that look cool. I also have a range of Grabows, MMs, low-end artisan, and a few Chinese factory mades. Sure, some pipes I never got the hang of. But, each pipes has its own way it smokes best for me. I don't grab any of my squat Bulldogs to drive with. They require me to fiddle with the smoke too much. But, they are great for conversational smoking, when I am putting the pipe down to talk, because I can fiddle with it as I talk. My stacks are smoked when I will not be taking my pipe out of my mouth, like working at the bench or leisurely bike rides. A pipe becomes a favorite of mine, when looks, technique, flavor, and fitting the pipe to what I am going to do. Out of 144 pipes, about twelve get smoked heavily, because I find myself favoring the pipe to my activity, although I try to smoke each pipe as much as possible.
That's my take on it. Personally (back to the OP) I recommend beginners get a clay pipe or thin walled pipe. When you can smoke one of those and keep the pipe as cool as possible, you are ready to take on a Savinelli. But, a Savinelli is a great first pipe. After a cob, it was what I bought. I still have my first four Savinelli Piumas. Excellent small bowled pipes, IMO.
"Filters, bleh," the big swinging balls that cozy up to the counters looking at Dunnies.
"Do you have any Savinellis?"
"Sure, they are the best of Italian factory pipes."
"But, these have filters."
"Yes, but they are magnificent pipes. Smokers always have a few Savinellis?"
"This Former for $1800 doesn't pass a pipe cleaner."
"That's ok. Former knows what he is doing when he makes his pipes."
It's all pretty much bullcrap. Engineering? There's more engineering Ina ballpoint pen. Two holes that meet up somewhere.
Sure, some pipes may smoke terrible for one guy, but then he trades it to someone and they think it's their best smoker. That happens all the time on here and in real life. And, this tells me that most of the "engineering" is in the technique of the smoker. We don't want to tell ourselves that we suck at smoking a particular pipe, so we blame it on the tool. And, what I like about Savinellis is that they smoke differently whether I use a balsa insert to dry my smoke (not a filter), just smoke it open, or find an insert thing and use that. Three pipes in one. And, I get to practice adjusting to the pipe each time, working on MY technique.
I have a range of pipes, and I've invested quite a bit in high end factory, artisan, and crap pipes that look cool. I also have a range of Grabows, MMs, low-end artisan, and a few Chinese factory mades. Sure, some pipes I never got the hang of. But, each pipes has its own way it smokes best for me. I don't grab any of my squat Bulldogs to drive with. They require me to fiddle with the smoke too much. But, they are great for conversational smoking, when I am putting the pipe down to talk, because I can fiddle with it as I talk. My stacks are smoked when I will not be taking my pipe out of my mouth, like working at the bench or leisurely bike rides. A pipe becomes a favorite of mine, when looks, technique, flavor, and fitting the pipe to what I am going to do. Out of 144 pipes, about twelve get smoked heavily, because I find myself favoring the pipe to my activity, although I try to smoke each pipe as much as possible.
That's my take on it. Personally (back to the OP) I recommend beginners get a clay pipe or thin walled pipe. When you can smoke one of those and keep the pipe as cool as possible, you are ready to take on a Savinelli. But, a Savinelli is a great first pipe. After a cob, it was what I bought. I still have my first four Savinelli Piumas. Excellent small bowled pipes, IMO.
When I started smoking a pipe, Savinelli was one of the more expensive brands. A Punto Oro was up there in Dunhill territory. I remember paying $75 for one in 1972, which was a lot of money at the time.
Another notable virtue of Savinelli is they tend to be lighter weight than many pipes of comparable size. Even artisanal pipes can wander way above two (or three) ounces. I think because they can price big pipes higher and also do more dramatic shapes, finishes, carving, etc. But when you get to clenching pipes, even just to light them, you appreciate lighter weights. Stanwell's are good about this too; they make a full-size Canadian shape that does not leverage down on your molars. It doesn't matter until you are using a pipe regularly; then I think it prompts return business.
Savinelli has a fairly sizable European market, and Europeans tend to prefer filtered pipes. And...for those who prefer an unfiltered pipe, Savinelli also caters to that market. Either way, you're getting a pretty good pipe, and at their upper end, a very fine pipe. BTW, recommending a filtered pipe to a beginner is not anathema to the pipe smoking world.
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