Savinelli: Punto Oro Gold Sandblasted (114 KS) (6mm) Tobacco Pipe

Savinelli boasts a rather robust shape chart, not to mean that all of their shapes are robust, but the diversity of shapes is grand. The Italian marque has an especially wide array of straight Billiard designs, all differing in their size and proportions. The "114 KS" is one of only two saddle-stemmed varieties, joining the "110," and it sits right in the middle of Savinelli's size spectrum: It's a touch larger than the "104" and "106" but exhibits a trimmer style than, say, the "101," more similar to the "111 KS." Lovers of English classics will appreciate the traditional shaping and relative proportions but with a slightly larger bowl to ensure a comforting in-hand feel and plenty of chamber space.

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.