+SmokeRingsPipeDreams - You're partially right. It's a bit confusing, but the k's DO refer to grade (specifically the fineness of the grain) on Castello's smooth pipes. On their rusticated pipes (Natural Vergin, Sea Rock, Old Antiquari) they refer to size. So, a single k rusticated pipe will be on the smaller end of the spectrum and a kkkk pipe on the larger end. After kkkk, they go up to G and GG, which are huge. Thanks for watching!
Its more than confusing. From examining many Castello pipes, I reckon that K system does specify the size on smooth pipes too, at least for Castellos stamped "Trademark" (generally the least expensive smooth pipes), Castello "castello", "collection", which are the three main Castello grades in ascending order of price. What they are doing on some of their more specialised stampings is anyone's guess :). Also even on searocks the K system is not always directly the bowl size of the pipe - what I reckon is that they use the grading system to put the pipe into a particular price bracket. For instance, recently I have ordered a very long Canadian shape searock that is stamped GGG, but it doesn't have a really huge bowl... My guess is that the GGG stamping puts the pipe into the highest price category for searocks, because briar blocks from which you can make a very long Canadian are extremely uncommon. So maybe the grading system is just Castellos way of putting pipes into price categories and only incidentally relates to size - large pipes are generally more expensive than small ones, because large briar blocks (ebauchons) are pricier than smaller ones... Phew!!
Hey! Just saw this video in the cue. Been watching your channel for a couple years, but haven't seen this one until now. I own 2 Castellos, one being a kkkk sea rock pot model 33. I bought it new in the mid 70"s. Alas, being young and foolish, I only smoked aromatics. Well, I'm long over that! It was my pleasure to see your pleasure while unveiling your Castello. They are wonderful pipes, aren't they? I know you will enjoy it for years to come. Take care.
Hey Bradley, I'm just down the road from you in Poulsbo. Anyway, beautiful pipe. You know, I remember back in the 1970's when I was working at The Tinderbox store in Portland we had a slew of Caminettos because the availability of Castellos was extremely limited. I believe Scotti was turning out only a few thousand a year which in the pipe business was next to nothing due to the fact that the 1970's was the last sort of Renaissance decade for pipe smoking before the present craze. Everyone had read the Surgeon general's report which concluded that, oddly enough, people who smoked pipes in moderation lived 2-3 years longer than non smokers. Anyway that is a beauty you have there, one of the classic Scotti shapes that was conceived of by the master himself. I'm sure you know this but if not, the Ascorti pipes you see on the market now, which are actually very fine pipes are direct descendants of the Castello/Caminetto/Radice lines of pipes as a result of the departure of Radice and Ascorti from the Castello firm. When Ascorti quit Castello in the 1960's and took Radice with him to form the Caminetto brand, Carlo Scotti, who apparently was always the ultimate Italian gentleman was reported to have "spoken unreservedly" about the departure which is probably a polite way of telling the two mutineers to stick it you know where. When I was at the Tinderbox and the sales rep for HOLLCO/ROHR would call on us we would always pump him for Castellos. In those days the sales people would carry car stock with them but they always had very few Castellos in their bag and the few they had were usually reserved for Arthur Leonards pipe shop in downtown Portland, a legendary location where more high grade pipes were sold than any other store in the PNW. But I do go on too long, one more thing, I am somewhat a Dunhill fanatic so if you pursue one look to the pieces from the 1960's. At that time they were still oil curing the wood and the LB shape (meaning Large Billiard) is the classic. Enjoy that beauty of a Castello. Doug Owen.
Cool bit of history! I have researched a bit about Castello and Caminetto and some of the other North Italian brands. Great pipes. I happen to have an LB Dunhill from 1966.
Love the pipe. Love the Vox! Old Dischord Records band member who always says no more pipes and always buy more. Use to do the same for guitars and tube amps. Pipes won. So less expensive than a Rick 370!
A very late comment on this beautiful moment when you treat yourself with a new pipe. May it serve you for a long long time. I don't have a lot of pipes jet, but Castello's sea rock briar pipes will find the way in to my collection. Enjoy.
Great video! I recently purchased an antiquari shape 55 Castello kkkk with really nice deep wavy grooves and colours: tan darkening to reddish brown to black and a kind of melted looking rim - looks like it came out of a frickin volcano! Not yet smoked it. As you demonstrate so well with the sea rock model, these rusticated pipes are an excellent shape and feel just great.
Really enjoying catching up on your channel, Sir. I'm only a new guy on the pipe scene after 20 years of smoking and collecting cigars. Your videos have taught me a lot - and I love your style and passion! Thank you from Australia.
I think the four K's are more of a grading system than a size. Which means the pipe you bought was rated quite high in quality. (I'm not sure if the go to five K's or of they do it's very rare) I got a new Castello bulldog a few years ago from Europe as well and it too arrived very quickly and it also had that unique Castello flavor initially. Nice Pipe Sir!
That's great. I had a smile through the entire video sharing in your happiness. Nice pipe. I've always wanted a sea rock Castello, but as you know, must have discipline and curb buying pipes sometimes. I just got a Ser Jacopo that I had my eye on for a while and had the same feeling in the box opening, and smoke it everyday, feeling somewhat guilty for not showing any attention to my other pipes. Enjoy.
Thanks brad , I fell in love with castello after this video espoused the shape 55. I have 3 shape 55 and i am obsessed with it. Natural virgin kkkk with white stem. Le dune fume kk size. Shape 55 kkkk searock pigreco Awesome pieces
Hi Brad, don't know if you'll read this since your vid is 6 years old. Anyhow, just letting you know, I finally bought the pipe. It is a very rare pipe now and very expensive. Took me a while to decide to spend over 300 bucks on a pipe but I did. Yesterday. Love your channel. David.
Greetings sir! Your channel was among my "recommended viewing" choices delivered by RU-vid, so, this is my first exposure to you and your video reviews. I am so highly impressed with your articulation and thoughtful choices of wording that I immediately subscribed, so that I might catch up with your past postings and enjoy all future musings. Your self-described rambling was not at all off-putting, rather, I was quite drawn in by your passion and excitement at the prospect of finally receiving a longed-for treasure. I share your joy. That is one beautiful pipe! I agree with you... it fits you perfectly! Among my Italian pipes (which are few in number) I have a brand new, unsmoked, Armellini Churchwarden. While not exactly top-of-the-line, it is rather easy on the eye, too. I look forward to your previous contributions. Thank you for posting.
I'm glad you found the channel, and I appreciate you taking the time to leave such a thoughtful comment! When I first started smoking pipes, I was a bit turned off by the rustic nature and unique proportions of many of the Northern Italian pipe-makers, but I've definitely learned to love them now. My Castello is still one of my favorites, and I'd like to add several more Italian pipes to my rack eventually.
Hi, Will! First of all, thank you for all your videos and your very useful reviews. I'm from Italy but even if Castello was French, English, Spanish, German or anywhere, they really are the best pipes. I'm a 'classicist' and Castello produces some, let's say, 'strange' shapes, but n.1 in terms of quality. I can suggest other absolutely great italian brands: Cavicchi and Radice on top, then Ser Jacopo, Caminetto and Mastro de Paja. Sweet smokes!
Roberto Romano - Thanks for the comment! Yes, sometimes the Castello shapes and some of the other north Italy pipe makers can get a little too whimsical for my tastes, but then some of their takes on classic English shapes are just great. I LOVE Castello's billiard with the perfect taper from shank to bit.
Congrats on your Castello...ok I know 7 years too late. But I subscribed to your channel last week and am still discovering your relevant but old videos. My second Castello is on it's way from smoking pipes...I'd suggest that you sell your old/used pipes on your channel. I imagine a follower would buy them quickly.OK back to some more vintage stuff and things videos.
Cool video. I enjoyed your excitement. There's nothing like smoking a pipe and I share your passion sir. love your vids and reviews, keep em coming! Cheers!
Wonderful review Bradley, a couple of weeks ago I ordered my first Castello (a sea rock Billiard) , but after watching this review a few days ago, the 55 shape has been driving me crazy, so last night I caved in and ordered a sea rock 55 from Italy. , it’s your fault 😀 💫✨⭐️
the first castello i ve boght was with my first salary after universty...now i have 7 in my collection...good memories....for me the best pipes availables
"Artigianato della pipa" means "the pipe craftsmanship" in english I think,my english is bad so......And that smile on your face is like a little boy just found his favourite toy,hahahaha.....Congrats man.
New to the channel, but I thought I’d post here as this episode was the inspiration to take advantage of the Black Friday sale on floppypipe.it!! Grabbed a beautiful Castello (55 KK) and Dunhill (Shell Briar 3122 Poker). Have been looking around and waiting to strike for some time. Very serendipitous to find this!! Thanks for this wonderful channel!!
I have 2 Cavicchi's. killer pipes and insanely well made. I imagine if you own either a Cavicchi or Castello, you aren't really missing out on having a Dunhill or not.
You and I have the same Castello. Although, it being Castello, they are very different. My natural vergin shape 55 has line grain at the top instead of birdseye. And mine has a saddle bit instead of a taper
Lol! Wish someone would have told me about the pipe addiction, BEFORE I decided to start smoking pipes! It's a damn sickness. I've only been smoking about 2 months and I've probably spent a good $1400.00 on pipes. (That's not including the tobacco) I just purchased a Peterson Irish Harp 999 for IPSD, yesterday. A few days before that, I purchased a Savinelli Chubby Cutty, not knowing IPSD was coming up, once I found out it was IPSD, it gave me an excuse to purchase yet another pipe. LMAO! I already have 8 really nice pipes, the best one being a Peterson B11 silver cap, also purchased a Peterson Royal Irish Rosslare 408. I was thinking about getting an amber stem Peterson and taking a break from pipe buying, but maybe I go after a Castello, or Dunhill? I've also looked at Ascorti. Maybe I'll buy all 4!!! lol. Apparently, I have a serious problem. What do you think I should buy before my hiatus? Amber stem, Castello, Dunhill, or Ascorti? My other hobby is even more expensive....firearms...LOL I've got several rifles that I have 1500-4k in (I always buy premium shit, I see no point in buying junk) I can blow 100-250 bucks in ammo (depending on how many family members/friends I take shooting) in one afternoon, at my range behind the house... I really didn't need another expensive hobby....
Beautiful pipe. I've been thinking about a Sea Rock, you tipped the scales, I think. BTW, great reviews. I like the wide bits on the Italian pipes I have so I'm glad they're styled that way.
I have seen this video about 10 times and my friend is good to see how much you like it and I also like it a lot. Today I lost outbid on ebay one castello gg 55, well since I saw you video I can't stop thinking and planning how I will get one??? Well it may not be the same but I got a Radice same shape just may be shorter.
Congratulations dear brother ,as of now you cant speak of pipe/tobacco snobs in third or second person .Dunno maybe is inevitable .Im only a week or two old piper but already eight different tobacco mixtures and two pipes
Lovely pipe! Might I ask where you got your castello from, if you don't mind sharing? Looking to pickup a radice but can't seem to find them for a decent price. Thanks!
Dayat Dylon - It was an Italian site called floppypipe. You can get a good deal by buying direct from Italy IF the Dollar is strong against the Euro when you happen to be buying. Otherwise, shipping can make it a wash.
Beautiful shape !! I bought one in morta !! Great smoke! Thank you for the beautiful videos. A question :when you introduce yourself it’s clear the name (Bradley) but not the surname.
Hi Brad! Great review (as are all of your reviews). Recently bought a Castello Natural Vergin #31 KKK pipe and currently looking for a Castello Army Mount. Love the Castellos - I also own Savinellis but they just don't compare. Quick questions - do you have some basic advice on tobacco types and pipes? Would you recommend a different pipe per tobacco type (to avoid ghosting issues)? Are there general guidelines for tobacco types and pipe sizes? Maybe these aren't quick questions ... :-) Thanks Brad and keep up the great work! Dino
dinomyte72 - Congrats on your Castellos! The only guideline I follow is to never smoke aromatics and non-aromatics in the same pipe. It's easy for me because I never really smoke aromatics. As far as English, Straight Virginia, Balkan, VA/Per, etc... I'll smoke any of those unflavored blends in any pipe.
Hello Bradley - great review! I'm a new pipe smoker, moving away from cigars. I noticed your lighter in this segment. Could you share with me the brand/model that you use? Thank you!
Bradley, I've been watching bunch of your videos and subscribed. Your excitement in this video is contagious. I couldn't help but feel happy for you. Where did you find the promo codes and who did you order through?
I want that pipe. What’s your social security # btw? Seriously though, I’m doing same thing this week. Selling some pipes that just didn’t fit with me even though they’re nice. Justify to buy a Castello
I only own one pipe so far cuz I'm a new pipe smoker. I might purchase anothet Savenelli later today, maybe like a brown rusticated one. my first one was only 80.00 but I have my eye on this gorgeous Savenelli but it runs 160.00! ugh but I want it. hmm
Ill have to check out that brand soon , I am like you , a big fan of everything 'classic' , I loved your video with Dan the smoking man and Id love someday to join you for a smoke If I ever visit the U.S and of course , You're more than welcome anytime if you ever come to Egypt to share a smoke together! , Lastly , I sent you a message with a video of a pipe-smoking man , I wanted to know if you can know what type is the pipe in his video , it really caught my eye , and at the end , thanks brad :)
I ordered my Castello S55 KKKK smooth finish from Floppy Pipes after watching your box opening. I had a sea rock finish once but went for a smoothie this time; couldn't resist the lovely grain. The shipping was freaky fast and the price from Floppy was less than similar Castellos on US sites. I haven't smoked it yet; wanted to get a pic before the first charring light. Even before smoking, it's my favorite pipe. www.johnbrinkphotography.biz/Pipes/i-cjwbwqJ/A
