Calibano (Mastro de Paja) 107 S C2 Smooth Bent Billiard (Unsmoked Estate)

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.

The “107” was one of the larger bent billiards offered by Mastro de Paja’s Calibano make, with proportions nearing that an oversized English pipe from the mid-20th century. The “C2” finish, on the other hand, was a little more “Italian,” being a light, orange-brown stain that, as can be seen here, lit up the various natural briar patterns of the bowl.

This pipe is completely unsmoked, with an original bowl coating. There’s a couple of small worn out fills, though nothing major.

Details:

Length: 6.3″ / 160.0mm

Bowl Width: 0.81 / 20.57mm

Bowl Depth: 1.58″ / 40.13mm

Weight: 2.1oz / 60g