Claudio Cavicchi: Smooth Freehand Dublin (Diamante) Tobacco Pipe

Yes Virginia, there really is a Diamante. To digress a bit, since we started carrying the Cavicchi pipe in September of 2008, I have made a consistent point of saying that the 5C is the highest grade, for all practical purposes, in Claudio's lineup. Sure, there's a pipe that Claudio calls a "Diamante" (Diamond Grade), but with one happening every 1000-2000 pipes, is it really fair to consider it a comparison factor? Diamantes, in the words of the Maestro, are granted that elusive stamp on two factors: "98% grain and 2% lack of pits." Seems rather cut and dry, but Claudio also emphasizes that a pipe won't receive a Diamante unless the shape brings out the best in the grain. Gazing at this pipe, I think this is a koan I can live with. Claudio's price for a Diamante is a floating system and always based solely on the exact pipe in question. A bit ago, I placed another order with Claudio. Included in his response was that he had a "very special Diamante" that he had been holding on to, waiting for the "right" dealer (perhaps our track record for the preceding eight months moved us into the right category, we don't question it, we just feel honored and enjoy it). Within 20 seconds we responded: "Please include this Diamante". Here it is.

Languidly resting in its custom presentation box, this jewel of the pipe world stretches to roughly six and one third inches and the only place your eye can settle where it won't encounter perfect grain is the bit. Even then, don't scrutinize the briar portion of the hand cut briar/acrylic inlay, even that tiny touch shows a fine grain. When I went to rim view, I probably had a "what's wrong with this picture?" look on my face. Make that "Where's Waldo?", because I couldn't see the birdseye (my glasses were in another room). It took both my glasses and a magnifying glass to jar me into what I was actually looking at. Take a piece of ultra-thin thread and hold it length ways, across your view. You can (kinda) see it. Now look at it from direct end view.it disappears. That's how fine this angel hair straight grain is, and the rim is drenched with micro-birdseye. If you miss your opportunity on this Diamante, there will be others. The only question is which month/year that the next one might appear.

As a major point of interest, The current entry retail for a Diamante is a smidge over $1700. tops out at $3150 and Claudio declares that the quality of this Diamante in particular is well within the upper half of his Diamante product. Look at that price. I am sure smelling "opportunity".

--Bear Graves