Rossi: Mezzanotte (8803) (6mm) Tobacco Pipe

Rossi's "8803" Lumberman, based on Savinelli's "803 KS" design, maintains the form's characteristic oval shank and abbreviated saddle stem, but the Italian marque has elongated the shank further compared to most interpretations. On the "8803," the shank is broad and flattened, planting much of the visual weight on the towering, deep-chambered bowl up front, and it further accentuates the bowl's powerful presence in profile. The Lumberman isn't necessarily a shape commonly associated with Italian pipe making, and elevated here to EX size, this Rossi "8803 EX" fits in well to the Italian tradition of rendering bold, bowl-centric designs, making this piece an excellent choice for those who prefer hearty and substantial pipes equipped to provide extra-long durations of smoking enjoyment.

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.