Calibano (Mastro de Paja) 101 D C4 Sandblasted Bent Billiard Estate Briar Pipe, Unsmoked

Description

I have seen many references to Calibano pipes as a Mastro de Paja “second,” and while they were made by Mastro de Paja, to call them “seconds” is not entirely accurate. Instead, Calibano was a Mastro de Paja sub brand, and specifically one through which Mastro de Paja offered something more akin to a factory pipe. In other words, while just about every Mastro de Paja pipe is handmade in the Italian workshop tradition, with the typical result being that each has been unique, Calibano pipes were made with the use of fraising machines and, as such, were offered in a roster of set shapes and finishes. It’s a little like Savinelli’s establishment of the Autograph workshop, but in reverse; instead of starting out a factory make and branching out into freehand pipes, Calibano was a case of a freehand pipe workshop branching out into factory briars.

This one is an example of one of Calibano’s bent billiard renditions, and a rather large one at that. With its crisp and consistent ring grain and tan “C4” finish, one can’t help but be reminded a little of England’s Ashton pipes, especially of Bill Taylor. I suppose that’s what happens when you get a storied Italian workshop to try their hand at more classical designs.

This pipe is unsmoked, with an original bowl coating. I note a slight, cosmetic imperfection on the inner rim from the sandblasting process (with the bowl-coating looking slightly over-applied as a result), though it’s nothing I would consider an issue.

Details:

Length: 6.3″ / 160.0mm

Bowl Width: 0.83 / 21.08mm

Bowl Depth: 1.90″ / 48.26mm

Weight: 2.4oz / 70g