Calabresi pipes

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10-28-2016, 04:16 AM
Haebar

Calabresi pipes

Anybody have any experience with Calabresi pipes? I don't know much about them and saw this on Ebay: Calabresi Metamorphosi Filtered Pipe

If you have one, please let me know what you think of it.
10-28-2016, 08:33 AM
Emperor Zurg

Never heard of them, but looking at the 'bay ad, the fact that they apparently come from whence they come packed in bulk in a big, cardboard box makes me think they must be ubercheapies of some kind. Nice thick walls from the look of it though.
10-28-2016, 12:31 PM
Haebar

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emperor Zurg

Never heard of them, but looking at the 'bay ad, the fact that they apparently come from whence they come packed in bulk in a big, cardboard box makes me think they must be ubercheapies of some kind. Nice thick walls from the look of it though.

The chunky billiard shape really caught my eye and he sold me one for $14. I hope that it is a good smoker.
10-28-2016, 01:00 PM
Pugsley

I just swore I'd never buy another pipe, but curiosity has just got the best of me. Ordered one of the fully rusticated straight models. For only $17 plus shipping it's a small risk.

Calabresi Fully Rusticated Metamorphosi Filtered Pipe 1CA-2040 | eBay
10-28-2016, 01:12 PM
Aguineapig

As long as it's actually briar, there is a chance you get a good one. There are some really expensive pipes that end up not smoking well, and some cheapies that do, thanks to the idiosyncrasies of briar. chances are probably lower on a 15 dollar pipe but they look half decent.
10-28-2016, 01:20 PM
OnePyroTec

<G> thanks for the post...now I have to look at all the offerings and figure out the ones I don't need but will buy. For the price I am not expecting miracles but I think with some stem mods they should be OK smokers.
10-28-2016, 01:44 PM
Pugsley

Didn't see this the first time through Calabresi Walnut Finished Filtered Metamorphosi Bulldog Pipe | eBay

Now I have two pipes coming. By the way, I contacted the seller, he does not combine shipping for multiple orders.
10-28-2016, 01:55 PM
OnePyroTec

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pugsley

Didn't see this the first time through Calabresi Walnut Finished Filtered Metamorphosi Bulldog Pipe | eBay

Now I have two pipes coming. By the way, I contacted the seller, he does not combine shipping for multiple orders.

If he ships in separate boxes, OK I guess. But if he puts all items in one box and won't combine shipping, that is when the sellers feedback hits a neutral and stars take a hit from me.
10-28-2016, 02:02 PM
Pugsley

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnePyroTec

If he ships in separate boxes, OK I guess. But if he puts all items in one box and won't combine shipping, that is when the sellers feedback hits a neutral and stars take a hit from me.

To be fair, he did offer to refund shipping on the second item if I supplied him with an email address, but Ebay would not allow me to send a message with an email address in it so I told him not to worry about it.
10-28-2016, 02:09 PM
Haebar

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pugsley

To be fair, he did offer to refund shipping on the second item if I supplied him with an email address, but Ebay would not allow me to send a message with an email address in it so I told him not to worry about it.

He has your email in the sales record. Sellers are given the full address and email address of everyone who buys something from them. You might ask him to look at the sales record.
10-28-2016, 02:12 PM
OnePyroTec

Also, he can go straight to the PayPal sale and do a partial refund there. I do it ALL THE TIME when buyers do not wait for me to send a revised invoice with combined shipping.
10-28-2016, 02:18 PM
Pugsley

Honestly, it's not a big deal to me. If they both arrive in good condition I'll be happy. I'm not going to quibble over a $6.80 shipping charge, but next time I'll know better.
10-28-2016, 03:24 PM
Emperor Zurg

Well if they're drilled halfway decent and made of halfway decent briar, they ought to make a nice Va pipe with those thick walls. It's hard to find a decent pipe with thick walls.

I'd think of buying one but I'm into some guy for a bunch of cigars at the moment... :p :p :D :D
10-28-2016, 03:28 PM
Haebar

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnePyroTec

Also, he can go straight to the PayPal sale and do a partial refund there. I do it ALL THE TIME when buyers do not wait for me to send a revised invoice with combined shipping.

ditto here.
11-01-2016, 11:35 PM
OnePyroTec

I am curious how these look and feel in person and how they smoke. I have my pipes I don't need picked out and just have to talk myself into it. Some first hand encouraging thought might just be enough to make me pull the trigger.
11-01-2016, 11:47 PM
Pugsley

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnePyroTec

I am curious how these look and feel in person and how they smoke. I have my pipes I don't need picked out and just have to talk myself into it. Some first hand encouraging thought might just be enough to make me pull the trigger.

I have a bent bulldog and a straight rusticated billiard on the way. I'll post my impressions of them when they arrive.
11-02-2016, 06:30 AM
Haebar

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnePyroTec

I am curious how these look and feel in person and how they smoke. I have my pipes I don't need picked out and just have to talk myself into it. Some first hand encouraging thought might just be enough to make me pull the trigger.

I got a Canadian in yesterday; will post picture of it tonight. I got in late last night and was too tired to fool with it. It is a pretty good sized pipe, very dark brown stain, and no stampings. Makes me wonder if it really is a Calabresi... It seems to be well made however. The dark stain does a good job of hiding fills, and there are some, but you have to look hard to see them. Wondering how it will do with some heat when I smoke it... wondering if it will make the fills become more apparent.

Oh, I ordered some of her "basket pipes" and they were a big disappointment. They were very small pipes for the most part. Thought I would buy some for a friend who is opening up a smoke shop, but don't know if they are big enough for that purpose. They are more suited to smoking some other substance.
11-02-2016, 06:56 PM
Haebar

Here's some pics of the Canadian that was listed as a Calabresi, even though it has no branding on it:

http://i1377.photobucket.com/albums/...psiatpphgp.jpg

http://i1377.photobucket.com/albums/...pszor6lxk2.jpg

http://i1377.photobucket.com/albums/...psqfg33mve.jpg

http://i1377.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3vbzemlj.jpg

http://i1377.photobucket.com/albums/...pshyl9rqfr.jpg

http://i1377.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8ieofgjy.jpg
11-02-2016, 07:52 PM
Aguineapig

heck even if the fills start standing out a bunch, still looks like a good user as long as the drilling it good etc.
11-04-2016, 02:39 PM
Pugsley

Rec'd my pipes today. I don't have a camera but will do my best to describe them. They're both designed to take 9 mm filters and come with no adapter. The drilling is good on both, with a pipe cleaner passing effortlessly to the center of the tobacco chamber. Both have a number of fills which is to be expected in a pipe in this price range. On the blasted billiard is a serious flaw. It looks more like a flaw in the wood than a crack but it's visible outside the bowl, across the rim and inside the tobacco chamber. It extends about a quarter of an inch down from the rim and has been filled. The bent bulldog has no such obvious flaws, just minor fills, mostly on the shank. Both tobacco chambers are coated so it's difficult to tell if there are more fills inside. The flaw on the billiard is worrisome, but overall I would have to say they show good workmanship on lesser quality briar. I would rate them as well drilled basket pipes, perhaps to be used as beaters or gifted to a beginner. Both pipes came with a bonus pipe tool. It's cylindrical and unscrewing one end reveals a tamper while unscrewing the other reveals a pick. I have not smoked either pipe yet.
11-04-2016, 08:08 PM
Haebar

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pugsley

Rec'd my pipes today. I don't have a camera but will do my best to describe them. They're both designed to take 9 mm filters and come with no adapter. The drilling is good on both, with a pipe cleaner passing effortlessly to the center of the tobacco chamber. Both have a number of fills which is to be expected in a pipe in this price range. On the blasted billiard is a serious flaw. It looks more like a flaw in the wood than a crack but it's visible outside the bowl, across the rim and inside the tobacco chamber. It extends about a quarter of an inch down from the rim and has been filled. The bent bulldog has no such obvious flaws, just minor fills, mostly on the shank. Both tobacco chambers are coated so it's difficult to tell if there are more fills inside. The flaw on the billiard is worrisome, but overall I would have to say they show good workmanship on lesser quality briar. I would rate them as well drilled basket pipes, perhaps to be used as beaters or gifted to a beginner. Both pipes came with a bonus pipe tool. It's cylindrical and unscrewing one end reveals a tamper while unscrewing the other reveals a pick. I have not smoked either pipe yet.

About how long are they and how tall is the bowl? I was thinking about getting one. You got the sandblast straight billiard, right? Thanks.
11-04-2016, 08:56 PM
Pugsley

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haebar

About how long are they and how tall is the bowl? I was thinking about getting one. You got the sandblast straight billiard, right? Thanks.

Can't find my tape measure so I'll have to guesstimate. It's a full size pipe, really more of an apple than a billiard. Overall length I'd say 5 3/4", bowl height close to 2". The bowl has a very thick wall and feels good even in my oversize mitt. I suspect that they use the sandblast and dark stain to try to hide glaring flaws in the bowl like on the one I got. You might have better luck going with a smooth finish like this: Calabresi Metamorphosi Filtered Pipe | eBay but that's only a guess on my part.

Edit: I have to say I'm more impressed with the bent bulldog. It's a bit shorter, perhaps a quarter of an inch, but overall well crafted for a pipe in this price range. The grain is wholly unremarkable and the balance is a bit off with a heavy bowl perhaps leading to a fatigued jaw if clenched too long. The stem fits perfectly and the transition from stem to shank is seamless. I may pick up a few more of these to hand out to friends. The sandblast, however, I would not buy again.
11-05-2016, 03:39 AM
Haebar

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pugsley

Can't find my tape measure so I'll have to guesstimate. It's a full size pipe, really more of an apple than a billiard. Overall length I'd say 5 3/4", bowl height close to 2". The bowl has a very thick wall and feels good even in my oversize mitt. I suspect that they use the sandblast and dark stain to try to hide glaring flaws in the bowl like on the one I got. You might have better luck going with a smooth finish like this: Calabresi Metamorphosi Filtered Pipe | eBay but that's only a guess on my part.

Edit: I have to say I'm more impressed with the bent bulldog. It's a bit shorter, perhaps a quarter of an inch, but overall well crafted for a pipe in this price range. The grain is wholly unremarkable and the balance is a bit off with a heavy bowl perhaps leading to a fatigued jaw if clenched too long. The stem fits perfectly and the transition from stem to shank is seamless. I may pick up a few more of these to hand out to friends. The sandblast, however, I would not buy again.

Thanks for the answers. After hearing about yours, I will steer clear of that model. I did order 3 of the ones that you sent the link for a while back and they are finally going to be delivered tomorrow. I like chubby billiards. Can't wait to see the workmanship.
Found an informative article about Cristiano (and Calabresi) pipes: Paul's Pipe Shop - Cristiano Millennium Pipes
11-09-2016, 08:17 PM
OnePyroTec

So, ask a few questions and get an email basically saying don't say an f'ing word...I am sending you a pipe. Thank you goes out to @Haebar for the Canadian style Calabresi. I'll be breaking it in soon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxrrYWwY2AQ

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk
11-10-2016, 05:28 AM
Haebar

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnePyroTec

So, ask a few questions and get an email basically saying don't say an f'ing word...I am sending you a pipe. Thank you goes out to @Haebar for the Canadian style Calabresi. I'll be breaking it in soon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxrrYWwY2AQ

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

You're welcome! Hope you enjoy it; let us know how it smokes.
11-14-2016, 10:54 PM
OnePyroTec

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haebar

You're welcome! Hope you enjoy it; let us know how it smokes.

Smoked the first bowl out of it today. The pipe got a little warm but not too bad. It smoked all the way to the end with only a few relights from neglect. Airway is nice, I need not make any "improvements" and it was a dry smoker the whole way. Best part is when holding with my teeth, yes I do that too, it is not too heavy.

This was the stye I was looking to buy, and I think I will be getting a couple more. Thanks @Haebar