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We're all familiar with Savinelli's convention of having "standard" sized shapes, and then progressing upwards into larger "KS" designs, and then outright massive "EX" renditions. And of course, a good deal of Savinelli's best-known shapes, whether Billiards or Apples or Dublins, are distinctive for having a great combination of proportions leaning more (albeit not entirely) towards the classical English balance, yet a definite Italian flare in their lines. It's a style that has long made Savinelli distinctive when compared to other Italian marques, after all.
And that brings us to the introduction of one of their newest lines, one which brings us something of the old Savinelli tradition, yet rendered, in one particular but important aspect, with a very different approach. What they've done is go in the opposite direction, sizing-wise, and instead of producing Italian flourish in pipes that speak of classic English underpinnings, they've introduced to us a line of new and old designs scaled-down to classical French fineness and elegance. They are, aptly, known as the "Petites". And as we just so happen to have a batch hitting our site today, we've decided to give them special attention.
They're an unusual departure not just for Savinelli, but for an Italian marque, and yet, we have to say, Savinelli has really nailed it with these lightweight little numbers. A few of the shapes briefly made an appearance before as the "Elegance" designs, though they have since been further refined for the new Petite line, while the remainder are iconic Savinelli standards, redesigned to suit the markedly more gracile proportions that define and distinguish the new Petite series. And, frankly, several of us around here think they're simply some of the best shapes Savinelli's ever produced; handy and light, easy to pocket or to keep clenched, yet still for all their trimmed-down, old French style, retaining just the right touch of that special Savinelli flavor in their lines and balance, too.
Is it possible the old French style, long ago eclipsed by the English, is making a comeback? I don't know. But recent years have seen the introduction of Sebastien Beo, whose marque is dedicated almost entirely to light, fine pipes of classic French style, and the limited-run brand of Ropp, made up entirely of long-forgotten French pipes that had been stored in dusty corners of the old Chapuis-Comoy factory (and rescued from obscurity by Sykes) has certainly been selling well since their introduction. And now the biggest Italian marque around has seen fit to bring us a whole series made up of a well-balanced marriage of Italian and French flavor; classic Savinelli gesture and lines, combined with the old French style's knack for designs that were equal parts graceful and convenient in scale and proportions.
A lot of us have no doubt heard talk of pipe smoking seeing signs of something of a resurgence -- more younger men (and sometimes younger women, too) showing up around local brick & mortar shops, more young pipe smokers active in social media websites, showing off and discussing their latest acquisitions or the latest blends they've tried, and so forth. Should this trend hold, I expect it will only be a matter of time before more pipe smokers, whether new or experienced, young or old, will begin to feel comfortable enjoying their pipes outside the confines of their own homes, or those of their fellow pipe-aficionado friends. And the way I see it, what better way to encourage pipe smokers to come out into the sunlight (or street lights, if you're a night owl like myself), than to provide them with handier, slimmer, lighter briars, easy to enjoy on the go, with a smart and tasteful style?
And if that's what you're in the market for, Savinelli's hit the nail on the head. Take it from me -- I definitely have a thing for the old French style of pipe, and the ones I own are the ones that come with me everywhere I go. Having seen Savinelli's latest little lovelies, though, I'm thinking my rotation is now desperately in need of a touch (or two or three) of Italian flourish as well.
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