Rossi: Vittoria (8601) Tobacco Pipe

A modestly sized bent Billiard appropriate for dropping into a jacket pocket, Rossi's "8601" is a sturdy take on the pipe chart standard, corresponding to Savinelli's "601," with a wide heel, high-set transition, and a slightly tapering bowl. While quite muscular and visually significant in its shaping, the shank of this "8601" doesn't over tighten the transition, extending at a 45 degree angle, almost to the height of the rim, for a comfortable thumb rest between shank and bowl.

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.