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Post by IrishCatholicPipeSmoker on Jun 5, 2019 8:29:00 GMT -5
I was asked by a friend what are the major differences they will see if they purchase a higher end Savinelli pipe. I know that the Punto Oro's I own seem to smoke the same, just have a better finish and stem. Anyone else have any insight on briar quality or specifics they have noticed?
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Post by johnlawitzke on Jun 5, 2019 10:08:00 GMT -5
For the Savinelli standard shapes, the same briar is used for all of the lines from low end through high end. The stummels for a particular shape number are all made by machine. Then the stummels go through a grade sorting for grain quality. For the stummels that qualify for Punto Oro or Giubileo d'Oro grades, those stummels are then hand finished. Also, for the Punto Oro and Giubileo d'Oro lines, the stems are hand cut.
So, the difference between Punto Oro and Giubileo d'Oro and the lower end lines is a hand finished stummel and a hand cut stem. The hand cut stem makes a HUGE difference to how well the pipe smokes. For GdO, you're paying for even better grain than PO.
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Post by peteguy on Jun 5, 2019 11:28:07 GMT -5
For the Savinelli standard shapes, the same briar is used for all of the lines from low end through high end. The stummels for a particular shape number are all made by machine. Then the stummels go through a grade sorting for grain quality. For the stummels that qualify for Punto Oro or Giubileo d'Oro grades, those stummels are then hand finished. Also, for the Punto Oro and Giubileo d'Oro lines, the stems are hand cut. So, the difference between Punto Oro and Giubileo d'Oro and the lower end lines is a hand finished stummel and a hand cut stem. The hand cut stem makes a HUGE difference to how well the pipe smokes. For GdO, you're paying for even better grain than PO. That is some great stuff - can't answer any better than that. Good Job john!! |
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Post by johnlawitzke on Jun 5, 2019 12:45:47 GMT -5
This great video shows the Savinelli production process:
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Post by johnlawitzke on Jun 5, 2019 12:50:32 GMT -5
For the Savinelli standard shapes, the same briar is used for all of the lines from low end through high end. The stummels for a particular shape number are all made by machine. Then the stummels go through a grade sorting for grain quality. For the stummels that qualify for Punto Oro or Giubileo d'Oro grades, those stummels are then hand finished. Also, for the Punto Oro and Giubileo d'Oro lines, the stems are hand cut. So, the difference between Punto Oro and Giubileo d'Oro and the lower end lines is a hand finished stummel and a hand cut stem. The hand cut stem makes a HUGE difference to how well the pipe smokes. For GdO, you're paying for even better grain than PO. That is some great stuff - can't answer any better than that. Good Job john!! Glad to be of help. I’m a Savinelli collector. There’s currently 17 in the collection with the majority being PO, GdO, or Autograph. |
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Post by IrishCatholicPipeSmoker on Jun 5, 2019 12:52:31 GMT -5
John,
Thanks for the information. So basically the briar isn't aged any longer, just better grain?
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Post by johnlawitzke on Jun 5, 2019 13:24:37 GMT -5
John, Thanks for the information. So basically the briar isn't aged any longer, just better grain? Yup. |
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Post by roadsdiverged on Jun 5, 2019 15:29:36 GMT -5
Cool video, and I havent heard that song in years. So thank you for sharing both!
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Post by Legend Lover on Jun 5, 2019 17:12:19 GMT -5
I never knew that. Thanks for the clarification, johnlawitzke. |
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Post by johnlawitzke on Jun 5, 2019 17:19:01 GMT -5
Two additional bits of Savinelli briar trivia:
- For the Autograph line, a special reserve stock of highest grade Briar is used.
- I haven’t had firm confirmation of this one: Savinelli’s briar comes from Sardinia.
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captblack
Junior Member
Posts: 224
Favorite Pipe: Peterson, Tsuge, Savinelli
Favorite Tobacco: Aromatics and English Blends
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Post by captblack on Jun 6, 2019 10:28:00 GMT -5
I also have several Savinellis and really enjoy them all. The graining on the Autograph series is stellar and mine smokes like a champ. It has a conical bowl that is awesome for Virginias.
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Post by smellthehatfirst on Jun 6, 2019 12:52:55 GMT -5
If you go back to the 70s you can find Autographs with cheap, terrible stems cut from blanks. I'm not sure when they started hand-cutting stems for their high grade pipes.
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Post by monbla256 on Jun 7, 2019 0:03:22 GMT -5
If you go back to the 70s you can find Autographs with cheap, terrible stems cut from blanks. I'm not sure when they started hand-cutting stems for their high grade pipes.  |
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Post by daveinlax on Jun 7, 2019 5:45:15 GMT -5
They are Sav’s top quality pipes but I believe the Gdo is the only first quality line with clean wood with no fills or whatever else they call a fill.  |
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Post by johnlawitzke on Jun 7, 2019 9:23:01 GMT -5
They are Sav’s top quality pipes but I believe the Gdo is the only first quality line with clean wood with no fills or whatever else they call a fill. Yes, GdO and Autograph are the only lines which have absolutely no fills. I've heard Laudisi reps claim that PO have no fills. In general, I will say they are right. However, this is not an absolute. Of my 5 POs (4 Smooth Natural and 1 Classic), 2 of the Smooth Naturals have GdO quality grain except for 1 very small fill on each. One of these POs also has a golden band which Savinelli does to indicate a superior pipe within its grade. So, a GdO quality stummel that needs a fill (and for some reason doesn't become a GdO blast) will become something other than GdO. Since every thread benefits from pipe porn: (the fill does not show in this view)  |
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Post by daveinlax on Jun 7, 2019 10:23:19 GMT -5
They are Sav’s top quality pipes but I believe the Gdo is the only first quality line with clean wood with no fills or whatever else they call a fill. Yes, GdO and Autograph are the only lines which have absolutely no fills. I believe the Autograph line has fills and whatever else they call a fill and are reflected in the grade. |
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Post by smellthehatfirst on Jun 7, 2019 11:41:36 GMT -5
They are Sav’s top quality pipes but I believe the Gdo is the only first quality line with clean wood with no fills or whatever else they call a fill. Yes, GdO and Autograph are the only lines which have absolutely no fills. I've heard Laudisi reps claim that PO have no fills. In general, I will say they are right. However, this is not an absolute. Of my 5 POs (4 Smooth Natural and 1 Classic), 2 of the Smooth Naturals have GdO quality grain except for 1 very small fill on each. One of these POs also has a golden band which Savinelli does to indicate a superior pipe within its grade. So, a GdO quality stummel that needs a fill (and for some reason doesn't become a GdO blast) will become something other than GdO. Since every thread benefits from pipe porn: (the fill does not show in this view) Fills or not, that's some awful fine grain. |
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Post by johnlawitzke on Jun 7, 2019 13:01:51 GMT -5
Yes, GdO and Autograph are the only lines which have absolutely no fills. I believe the Autograph line has fills and whatever else they call a fill and are reflected in the grade. I haven’t seen one yet. BUT, that does not mean they don’t exist. |
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Post by monbla256 on Jun 8, 2019 0:01:30 GMT -5
I've got over 100 pipes and been smoking 50+ years and ya know I've not noticed ANY smoking difference in pipes with fills and those without. I've got pipes with/without fills and I look for overal craftmanship and smoking as I'm not an esthetics "collector" rather a pipe smoker ! JMHO
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2019 13:34:47 GMT -5
johnlawitzke: I knew the info on the top tier Sav's, but your info on same quality briar used in other lines is a revelation and perhaps explains why Savinelli's smoke consistently good up and down the varying models.
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