Cavicchi CCC XL Smooth Canadian Estate Briar Pipe, Italian Estates

Description

In 1974, after growing impatient waiting for a pipe he’d ordered, Claudio Cavicchi decided he would simply make his own pipe instead. The former farmer from Bologna, Italy, spent the next 15 years making pipes, until his work took off and received widespread acclaim. Cavicchi’s pipe-making exploits have only become more renowned in the decades since, while his pipe-smoking exploits have earned him 1st place in numerous slow-smoking competitions.

I’ve said before, in previous listings, that Italian pipe-makers have a minor tradition of sorts regarding Canadian and lumberman shapes. That tradition being turning extraordinarily long renditions of these shapes. It’s not something that’s completely unique to Italy (Sasieni’s “Canadian” also comes to mind), but it’s more common in Italian pipes than anywhere else. From Brebbia and its “Iceberg” model, to Savinelli’s early shape 8004, to the various workshop makes, such as Mastro de Paja or Don Carlos, no other nation so consistently pushes the boundaries of the “long shanks.” Perhaps it would be strange, if they didn’t do it so well. This one, from Claudio Cavicchi, is over 7 inches in length, and must have come from a particularly excellent block of briar.  The straight grain around the bowl is exquisite, and the whole stummel is practically flawless, save for a minuscule sand spot on the underside of the shank.

The condition is great. Some minor inner rim darkening.

 

Details:

Length: 7.2″ / 182.2mm

Bowl Width: 0.79 / 20.06mm

Bowl Depth: 1.85″ / 46.99mm

Weight: 2.3oz / 68g