Caminetto 2020/2021 Sandblasted Bent Billiard Estate Briar Pipe, Italian Estates

Description

Caminetto was, and is to this day, a decisive figure in the history of Italy’s pipe workshop tradition. After spending time developing their skills in the Castello workshop, Sergio Ascorti and Luigi Radice left to found their own venture, which they named, ‘Caminetto.’ Here, Ascorti and Radice were able to create their own now-classic shapes and finishes, such as the rusticated ‘Business,’ and the carved, wax-drip ‘New Dear.’

While it has been a mainstay among high-grade Italian pipes since its inception at the end of the 1960s, Caminetto has undergone almost as many changes in ownership and operation as something like Barling or Charatan. As a result, the stamping and logos used by Caminetto have also changed over the years, leading to plenty of confusion as to what exactly they mean. Why, for example, is this nice, classical (though still very Italian) bent billiard stamped “06 35”? The simple answer is that “06” designates sandblasted pipes (such as this ring grain beaut), and “35” marks the number of years since the current production of Caminetto pipes began, which is regarded as being either 1985 or 1986. Simple enough, right? On the other hand, slightly older Caminettos used a set of three numbers, and before that, a grid of four. Thank goodness the quality of the pipes has remained consistent, especially thanks to the talents of Roberto Ascorti and Tommi Ascorti, who lead Caminetto’s current production. After all, my job is much easier when all I need to do is provide a little history and let a well made pipe speak for itself.

The condition is very good. Slight finish fading and handling marks. The pipe comes with its original box and sleeve.

Details:

Length: 5.5″ / 132.0mm

Bowl Width: 0.83 / 21.08mm

Bowl Depth: 1.71″ / 43.43mm

Weight: 1.6oz / 46g