Rossi: Vittoria (8673) Tobacco Pipe

The "8673" shape is Rossi's take on the iconic bent Bulldog design, the form aligning with Savinelli's "673 KS." While the overall profile remains true to the traditional English shape-chart standard — marked by a paneled shank and a tapered rim — the Italian marque has imbued it with their own stylized aesthetic. Most notably, the shank is triangular instead of diamond in cross section, a signature Rossi shaping cue, and the bowl features some added plumpness about the base before tapering slightly toward the rim above the waist. It makes for a distinctly recognizable Rossi pipe, replete with a substantial voluptuousness in hand, while still maintaining a strong degree of classic appeal.

Rossi's Vittoria line is a no-nonsense series that prioritizes timeless traditionalism and a conservative presentation that draws focus to this pipe's line and form. Marked by a dark stain and rugged rustication, the Vittoria offers just the right amount of texture in hand. It remains balanced between traditional Italian and English pipe making styles — the rustication calling to mind the dramatic, extra-craggy finishes often seen throughout Italian pipe making, but the lighter depth hewing closer to the stately English aesthetic — with the dark palette and grooved surface hiding any handling marks this piece might pick up over the years.