Rossi: Mezzanotte (8316) (6mm) Tobacco Pipe

The primary feature of a Pot is its broad tobacco chamber, and the Rossi "8316" certainly fulfills that purpose, aligning with Savinelli's "316 KS" design. Particularly wide at the top, the chamber is conical, aligning with the shaping of the bowl, while the lithe shank-and-stem combination adds tasteful elegance through its curve. It's a remarkably organic interpretation, offering a sweeping heel and softly rounded rim, and all with a subtle forward momentum to keep things lively.

Introduced in 2023, Rossi's Mezzanotte 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 Mezzanotte series appropriately translates to "Midnight" in Italian and 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.