Radice Rind GG O Large Rusticated Apple Estate Briar Pipe, Italian Estates

Description

Radice is one of the great Italian workshop pipe makes, belonging to a historic lineage of such workshops. The company began as a family affair, being established in 1980 by Luigi Radice, along with his son, Gianluca, and father, Paolo. But Radice’s pipe making “family” is a little larger than that. Prior to founding Radice, Luigi ran Caminetto, which he had founded with Guiseppe Ascorti in 1968. Prior to Caminetto, Radice had worked alongside Ascorti in the Castello factory, under the supervision of its owner, Carlo Scotti. It’s quite an impressive genealogy, which is clearly reflected in the quality of Radice pipes.

As is quite common in the world of Italian pipes, Radice’s oversized pipes are designated with the letter “G.” And, as is also not uncommon in the world of Italian pipes, Radice’s oversized pipes that are even larger than their typical oversized counterparts are designated “GG.” While not quite magnum in proportions, the latter are, nonetheless, exceptionally sizeable pieces, and in the case of this one, it might reasonably be considered a “mini magnum,” or “pocket magnum.” Taking the form of a hefty apple rendition, the pipe wears Luigi Radice’s signature rusticated finish, the Rind, one slightly reminiscent of the texture of citrus peel. As this is also an “O” Radice, it features a rather distinctive, thick accent at the shank end. At first I thought it must be acrylic, though it may well be antler, a material that Luigi Radice has been known to use from time to time, though far from often.

The condition is great. Perhaps a little rim darkening, but this is the kind of pipe that will take just about anything that you throw at it and still come out looking much the same as when it was first made.

Details:

Length: 6.5″ / 165.1mm

Bowl Width: 1.11 / 28.19mm

Bowl Depth: 1.92″ / 48.76mm

Weight: 5.2oz / 148g