Spartacus
Junior Member
Posts: 465
First Name: Cliff
Favorite Pipe: Von Erck / Scottie Piersel
Favorite Tobacco: Escudo / Capstan / 5100 / Ramsgate
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Post by Spartacus on Mar 12, 2019 9:01:12 GMT -5
I'm looking at some Castello pipes on eBay. What is the difference between KKKK, KKK, KK, K?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 12, 2019 9:36:50 GMT -5
Believe that’s bowl size, smallest (k) and the larger you move up the food chain.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 12, 2019 10:12:29 GMT -5
I’ll probably get hated on for this but my first Castello was a KKKK, 1/4 bent sea rock estate. I was always fond of the sea rocks and the price wasn’t too bad for an estate in pristine condition; however, I was somewhat disappointed I had to take an 11/64” drill bit to the smoke channel in the shank through the draft hole to improve the draw. It smoked fine afterwards but was one in the first wave to go when the briar herd was purged.
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Spartacus
Junior Member
Posts: 465
First Name: Cliff
Favorite Pipe: Von Erck / Scottie Piersel
Favorite Tobacco: Escudo / Capstan / 5100 / Ramsgate
Location:
|
Post by Spartacus on Mar 12, 2019 10:17:24 GMT -5
I’ll probably get hated on for this but my first Castello was a KKKK, 1/4 bent sea rock estate. I was always fond of the sea rocks and the price wasn’t too bad for an estate in pristine condition; however, I was somewhat disappointed I had to take an 11/64” drill bit to the smoke channel in the shank through the draft hole to improve the draw. It smoked fine afterwards but was one in the first wave to go when the briar herd was purged. Ouch!! That gives me second thoughts. |
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Post by oldcajun123 on Mar 12, 2019 10:18:04 GMT -5
 Yep older ones were constricted, kind of like having a Hemi with 2 inch exhaust. Drilling helped and newer pipes were more open.
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Post by blackmouth210 on Mar 12, 2019 10:33:37 GMT -5
Yep older ones were constricted, kind of like having a Hemi with 2 inch exhaust. Drilling helped and newer pipes were more open. Can you give an estimate as to when their pipes began to be drilled more open? How long ago did they start doing that? |
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Post by oldcajun123 on Mar 12, 2019 10:46:14 GMT -5
It may have been in the Eighties when Keno Cappo took over the works.
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Post by blackmouth210 on Mar 12, 2019 11:41:51 GMT -5
It may have been in the Eighties when Keno Cappo took over the works. Awesome. Thank you. |
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Post by briarblues on Mar 12, 2019 12:58:15 GMT -5
Castello grades depend on finish. Non smooth pipes are graded by size. k being smallest through kkkk, G, GG, and on occasion GGG Smooth pipes are graded on grain. k through to kkkk with the latter being the highest. I do believe that over the past few years, size on smooth pipes has also come into play. I say this after seeing countless Castello's at trade shows and coming through the site. Smaller very well grained pipes can be graded lower than a larger pipe with slightly "weaker" grain. For more information on Castello try here - www.briarblues.com/castello.htmAs far as the drilling in the air passages, that also has changed over the years. In the 1980's and earlier, the stems had a much smaller air way, as did most of the shanks. Moving forward, since 2007 I believe the drilling has become much more "open" in both. Unlike many other pipe companies, Castello DOES listen to buyers. As the demand grew for pipes with a more open draw, Castello heard and made the needed changes. These pipes are easily known as the carry the Kino ( in an oval ) stamp. Hope this helps. Regards Michael J. Glukler |
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Post by sperrytops on Mar 12, 2019 13:02:56 GMT -5
Castello grades depend on finish. Non smooth pipes are graded by size. k being smallest through kkkk, G, GG, and on occasion GGG Smooth pipes are graded on grain. k through to kkkk with the latter being the highest. I do believe that over the past few years, size on smooth pipes has also come into play. I say this after seeing countless Castello's at trade shows and coming through the site. Smaller very well grained pipes can be graded lower than a larger pipe with slightly "weaker" grain. For more information on Castello try here - www.briarblues.com/castello.htmAs far as the drilling in the air passages, that also has changed over the years. In the 1980's and earlier, the stems had a much smaller air way, as did most of the shanks. Moving forward, since 2007 I believe the drilling has become much more "open" in both. Unlike many other pipe companies, Castello DOES listen to buyers. As the demand grew for pipes with a more open draw, Castello heard and made the needed changes. These pipes are easily known as the carry the Kino ( in an oval ) stamp. Hope this helps. Regards Michael J. Glukler Briarblues, are you the same briar blues that has the youtube channel? If so, I do watch many of your reviews, and especially appreciate your knowledge of Castello pipes. Welcome. |
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Post by briarblues on Mar 13, 2019 9:38:40 GMT -5
sperrytops, yes that would be me.
Thank You for the kind words and watching the channel. I am NOT an expert. I know a little and learn new pipe / tobacco things every day.
Regards
Michael J. Glukler
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Yep older ones were constricted, kind of like having a Hemi with 2 inch exhaust. Drilling helped and newer pipes were more open.
