Italian Estates: Radice Clear Billiard (G) (2009) Tobacco Pipe

Luigi Radice was born in 1939 and began his pipe-making career in 1961, working at the venerable Castello workshop. While working for the now legendary brand, Luigi met Giuseppe Ascorti, and the two left together in 1968 to found Caminetto, where he stayed for 12 years, before departing to establish Radice in 1980. With help from his sons, Gianluca and Marzio, Luigi began producing pipes in a striking neoclassical style which quickly amassed acclaim from enthusiasts of such stylized works. The family-run workshop has since become known not just for its unique take on the Italian neoclassic style of pipe making, but their singular accenting and finishing techniques. Among these are the brand’s signature faux bamboo and spiral shanks, which create eye-catching detail and a wealth of texture, nicely complementing Radice’s craggy Underwood and Rind rustications. These rugged rustications are joined by the Silk Cut sandblast and a range of different smooth finishes. Pipes that showcase especially nice flame grain receive the “F” stamp and those with exceptional birdseye are denoted by the “OP” stamp, while extra-large pieces are designated by one or two "G" stamps.