Castello: Trademark Billiard with Boxwood Stem (with Extra Stem) (06) Tobacco Pipe

Castello is quite possibly the most readily recognizable workshop in the Italian pipe making world, their storied history stretching back to 1947. Imagine, then, how exciting it would be to collaborate with the talented individuals behind this Italian Icon. That is exactly what our very own Sykes Wilford did during his trip to Italy in the Summer of 2021, when he and Franco Coppo, manager of Castello, worked together to create this very special line of pipes. Comprising a single Billiard shape, these pieces come fitted with boxwood stems, a material rarely utilized by the workshop's craftsmen, let alone for stems, making these limited production pipes quite exclusive. Each example also comes with a spare stem of black acrylic should you wish to smoke from something a bit more familiar, or if you wish to travel with one of these unique briars and don't want to risk damaging the boxwood variation.

This rendition of Castello's "15" Billiard shape is traditionally shaped with some subtle details that remind one of the pipe's Italian heritage. The bowl is fairly tall, almost two inches, and rises proudly above the rest of the form whose sleek lines not only aid in enhancing the graceful elegance of the piece, but keep it light weight at only a single ounce. The shank and stem combination is quite svelte, the shank tapering gently from the transition to the acrylic army mount before stepping down to the stem. This push-mounted arrangement isn't just great for cutting down on weight, it also offers added practicality and function, as it allows the stem to be removed at any time for easy cleaning, even when it's being smoked. This slim build most definitely places all of the visual weight on the bowl, but the length of the rear end still draws the eye, making sure that the entire piece can be appreciated. Dressed in the deep chestnut stain of the Trademark finish, this boxwood stem-fitted piece from the legendary Castello showcases not only a lovely contrast between stem and stummel, but some lovely birdseye on the left flank, with sweeping flame grain across the right one. This individual example is number six out of the first 25 of these collectible pipes to have been made.