Savinelli: Punto Oro Classic Bordeaux (173) Tobacco Pipe

The "173" is one of Savinelli's more unique shapes, hybridizing characteristic elements of other designs. In silhouette, the profile is a fairly straightforward Apple, perhaps a touch taller than would be considered standard and with a very slight bend to the stem, but upon closer examination the pipe's distinguishing qualities become more apparent. The shank is actually a Reuleaux triangle in cross section, still rounded but with defining ridgelines for a paneled-like motif, and such a cue matches the shank of the Italian marque's "673 KS" bent Bulldog. Following the Bulldog similarities, the bowl of the "173" sometimes features crisp beadlines just above the waist in some iterations, yet all versions always remain continually rounded and devoid of the Bulldog's typically sudden taper toward the rim.

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 piece wears a red wine-tinged Bordeaux stain, offering a traditional aesthetic sure never to go out of style.