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Post by IrishCatholicPipeSmoker on Nov 20, 2019 13:16:41 GMT -5
I am looking to purchase my first high end pipe. I am looking at a Castello. My question / concern is this, will a Castello honestly smoke any better than my Savinelli and Peterson pipes or will I just be paying for a name?
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Post by pepesdad1 on Nov 20, 2019 13:20:55 GMT -5
Paying for a name....you want a really good smoking pipe, grab that one of Ron's of RdPipes...best smoking pipe that I have along with Cramps.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 20, 2019 13:21:47 GMT -5
That all depends on you. But you will be purchasing a pipe made with the best materials available and made by a craftsman.
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Post by isett2860 on Nov 20, 2019 14:08:34 GMT -5
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
You say potato and I say potatoe.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
I have 4 Castello’s. And other higher end Italians. All great pipes and regulars in my rotation.
Well worth the money I spent on them. Some were new, some were estates.
But I also have a few basket pipes and and no names and MM cobs that smoke
just as well and make me just as happy.
The materials and craftsmanship make them a pleasure to look at and hold and smoke.
So to me, they were worth the money.
But do they make that hard to find unicorn out of production tobacco any better?
Short answer, No, not in my opinion. Others may disagree.
But that is the beauty of this hobby. It’s a personal adventure and you can like or dislike whatever you want to.
So if you have the means and it really catches your eye, go for it.
Enjoy it for the beauty of the craftsmanship and how it makes you feel.
But remember, it won’t make lawn clipping taste like Penzance!
And as others have mentioned, we have some great craftsman here on the Patch.
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Post by IrishCatholicPipeSmoker on Nov 20, 2019 14:44:07 GMT -5
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. You say potato and I say potatoe. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I have 4 Castello’s. And other higher end Italians. All great pipes and regulars in my rotation. Well worth the money I spent on them. Some were new, some were estates. But I also have a few basket pipes and and no names and MM cobs that smoke just as well and make me just as happy. The materials and craftsmanship make them a pleasure to look at and hold and smoke. So to me, they were worth the money. But do they make that hard to find unicorn out of production tobacco any better? Short answer, No, not in my opinion. Others may disagree. But that is the beauty of this hobby. It’s a personal adventure and you can like or dislike whatever you want to. So if you have the means and it really catches your eye, go for it. Enjoy it for the beauty of the craftsmanship and how it makes you feel. But remember, it won’t make lawn clipping taste like Penzance! And as others have mentioned, we have some great craftsman here on the Patch. Thanks for the insight. I appreciate everyone helping. |
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briarbuck
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Post by briarbuck on Nov 20, 2019 16:18:27 GMT -5
Yes, the probability is higher that you will love the Castello more than a less expensive pipe. Generally, you get what you pay for.
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Post by Ronv69 on Nov 20, 2019 16:21:33 GMT -5
Buy 2 Radice pipes for the price of one Castello and you will be happy.
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Post by peteguy on Nov 20, 2019 16:26:28 GMT -5
So many factors at work here it is tough to just spill out a few sentences.
Higher end factories have a much wider selection and a much larger retail presence than the average pipe maker like the ones mentioned here. This is a big reason they sell so many pipes IMO. Are Castello's better than any other factory or high end factory? Maybe and maybe not. If anyone had a way to guarantee you the best smoking pipe of your life they would be a gazillionaire. It is a risk as you are lighting leaves surround by wood.
It is really all up to you.
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Post by kxg on Nov 20, 2019 16:46:31 GMT -5
Like others have said, it is a difficult question. Subjective questions always are. Certainly there are some objective measures; material, proper drilling, stem shaping, etc. You can assume that most (note that 'most' means 'not all') higher end pipes properly execute those objective standards. Then it becomes a subjective matter.
FWIW: I have one Castello (so I'm certainly no expert, or even close), an Old Antiquary 55 KK. I have to say that it is a very fine smoking pipe; one of my best. Better than the best of the rest? No not really. But still, a very fine smoking pipe. Let's put it this way. If I had the chance to buy another Castello (money was not an object), I certainly would, if the shape and finish called to me.
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Post by oldcajun123 on Nov 20, 2019 17:34:01 GMT -5
 Estate Castillo Poker, very good smoker, try an estate and see if you like it before spending a lot of money. 
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Post by Deleted on Nov 20, 2019 18:39:17 GMT -5
For me,the difference between a good pipe and a very good pipe, is an almost indefinable solidity to the draw. One could use a thousand words to describe it, but it comes down to the realization that you will know it when you experience it.
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Post by Legend Lover on Nov 21, 2019 2:49:35 GMT -5
I think the others have expressed what I would have said in a way that is better than I could have said it. It IS subjective and there are no guarantees, but there is a higher probability of getting a great smoke from a higher end pipe. If you like named brands then bite the bullet. However, I would also consider giving pepesdad1's advice a second thought. Having a handmade pipe by someone like rdpipes or Cramptholomew or Robert Perkins, to name a few, would be a better path to choose, in my opinion. |
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Post by IrishCatholicPipeSmoker on Nov 21, 2019 9:37:22 GMT -5
Thank you everyone for your help and recommendations.
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Post by monbla256 on Nov 21, 2019 10:58:33 GMT -5
For what you'd spend on the Costello you could get a nice Savinelli Autograph. Unless you just have to have a different brand and you've enjoyed your Savinellis that's what I'd stick with ! 
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Post by sperrytops on Nov 21, 2019 20:43:27 GMT -5
All good thoughts. In the end, it's your call.
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Post by briarblues on Nov 22, 2019 7:34:57 GMT -5
I see similar questions asked on many forums and via emails. Are Castello Pipes, or countless other brands worth the money? That is one of those questions that if you asked 10 different pipe smokers, you'd get 15 different answers.
I may look at this from a biased bend as I collect Castello pipes, and am an authorized Castello dealer. I also sell Radice, Le Nuvole, Ser Jacopo, Caminetto pipes, as well as estate pipes.
Over the past 25 plus years I suspect I've had almost every brand and carver in my grubby little hands. Yet, I still collect Castello pipes.
Are there other brands and carvers that make sensational pipes? 100% yes. Do they smoke as well? Some yes, some no. Do they all use briar aged at least 10 years? Very few, as a matter of fact, I can only think of one.
Much depends on your "threshold" for pain, when it comes to pipes. What pipes do you have now that smoke better than the others? Are they comparable? Savinelli makes some excellent pipes. As do countless other brands and carvers. Are you looking for a specific price range? If so, do your research and see what falls into a similar range.
If it might be your first venture into higher priced pipes, I'd strongly suggest you look at the estate market and purchase from a dealer that send pipes already cleaned and ready to enjoy, as opposed to taking a chance on E-Bay and getting a good price, but then needing to clean / correct / un ghost a pipe. Nothing worse than finding a pipe you'd really love to enjoy, but spending 6 months to remove the ghosts of aromatics past, or if you enjoy aromatics, the ghosts of Latakia.
Castello's are fine pipes. Are they worth the money? Castello collectors think so. Are Bo Nordh pipes worth the price? Nordh collectors think so........... the list goes on.
Regards
Michael J. Glukler
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Post by isett2860 on Nov 22, 2019 8:01:11 GMT -5
Briar Blues is top notch in my book and a good place to look for that new or estate Castello.
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Post by Mac on Nov 22, 2019 11:12:38 GMT -5
Paying for a name....you want a really good smoking pipe, grab that one of Ron's of RdPipes...best smoking pipe that I have along with Cramps.That's a great idea. But most any pipe can be a good smoker. Aesthetics are important to many; unimportant to many. |
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Post by IrishCatholicPipeSmoker on Dec 2, 2019 19:53:19 GMT -5
Thank you everyone. I took Monbla’s advice and purchased a Savinelli sandblasted Bings Favorite Punto Oro. I really enjoy all my Savinelli pipes and use the balsa every few smokes.
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Post by smellthehatfirst on Dec 3, 2019 21:05:48 GMT -5
Thank you everyone. I took Monbla’s advice and purchased a Savinelli sandblasted Bings Favorite Punto Oro. I really enjoy all my Savinelli pipes and use the balsa every few smokes. The Punto Oro is a big step above most Savinelli output because they typically have a hand-cut rubber stem.
Regular Savinellis have an acrylic stem cut from a blank. There's a big difference in button comfort. Also the rubber/acrylic choice may matter to you.
A high-end Italian pipe like a Castello will have a hand-cut stem, but it is usually acrylic.
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Estate Castillo Poker, very good smoker, try an estate and see if you like it before spending a lot of money.
