Savinelli: Punto Oro Gold Sandblasted (641 KS) (6mm) Tobacco Pipe

Apart from Savinelli's EX-designated pipes, the "641 KS" bent Apple is one of the Italian marque's most robust and full-bodied shapes. That's not to say, however, that it's the largest — only that its relative proportions are among the stoutest and most muscular of the designs on Savinelli's shape chart. The bowl is almost Ball-like, with a slight taper toward the rim, and the voluptuous heel is supported by an equally hearty shank, made all the more so by the sudden diminution of the slender saddle stem.

The Punto Oro and Punto Oro Gold series begin Savinelli's highest-quality lines within its standard lineup, topped by the prestigious Giubileo d'Oro. Each Punto Oro pipe is fashioned from Mediterranean briar that's been aged for more than three years before passing ninety separate crafting and inspecting processes to ensure the strictest standards of quality — taking into consideration engineering, construction, and grain orientation. Less than two percent of all Savinelli pipes meet the Punto Oro's rigid criteria, making its pipes some of the Italian marque's most prized and collectible pieces. With a number of traditional finishes presented across the Punto Oro Gold and Punto Oro Classic lines, this particular Punto Oro Gold piece wears a traditional, dark-stained sandblast, drawing focus to the briar's natural grain pattern, brought out with subtle texture thanks to the expert finishing work of Savinelli's artisans.