Calabresi pipes

[Haebar]

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.

[Pugsley]

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.

[Haebar]

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