Castello: Collection Billiard (K) Tobacco Pipe

For pipe smokers searching for an Italian-styled take on the classic Billiard, look no further than this Castello rendition. Unlike other, more dramatic Italian interpretations of the design, this piece stays true to the traditional form while still presenting the shaping cues that often separate Italian pipes from their English counterparts — namely, a stronger sense of firmness about the bowl and heel, with the angle of the heel matched by that of the transition. Such is the case here, the bowl rising proud at the fore of its consistently tapering shank-and-stem combination — a common Castello shaping cue. The smooth, earthy finish that dresses the stummel showcases some handsome grain throughout, and the flattened underside adds a bit of structure and allows for stable sitting.