A beautiful finish!
In the beginning all pipe blocks (ebauchons) are treated equally.
They all undergo the same boiling treatment to remove saps and resin, and then it is off to the drying room. Here, over a period of 6 to 18 months the dry air will have a dramatic effect on the blocks. As the moisture is drawn out, some blocks will show cracks, some will split completely and others will survive to become dry and porous with an off-white colour - now suitable to continue in the pipeline.
So why do we see such a variety of finishes?
Consider Dunhill The White Spot.
All finishes are the same quality “the finest” (and they are), then why all the different finishes, and how do they decide which finish will suit the prepared ebauchon.
First they turn the bowls according to the size and shape of the ebauchon, then they wet the surface of the bowl to reveal the grain pattern.
For example the Shell (sandblast): For this finish the grains on the bowl, harder and softer briar, must be very distinct so that when the soft wood is blasted off, the remaining hard wood will stand out giving the mountain and valley effect. A little staining with light polishing and you have glowing peaks and darker valleys.
Root Briar: On the other hand, if the “artist” looks at the grain and sees that the lines flow in a beautiful pattern, he would rather use a light coloured stain to create an almost natural finish. Obviously since briar
is a natural product such grains are more rare, and the price  corresponds.
And if the grain shows parallel vertical lines all around the bowl, it is even more rare and such “Straight Grain” pipes demand an even higher price.
Also, of course, the finish will be kept light to show off the grain.
The benefit for you is that you are able to see any surface flaws, and appreciate the amount of hard and soft briar.
Both are necessary for a beautifully patterned surface.
Such beautiful grains can be found in any group of briars, and most manufacturers pick out the grains and finish the bowls with a light stain. “Accentuate and show off the grains, hold nothing back” – is the yardstick.
As they are smoked, these light-coloured pipes mellow with age into a rich honey-brown finish enhancing, not hiding, the grain, giving even more pleasure.
  Savinelli offers a wide range of qualities, but when they find such perfect grains they also keep the finish a light natural colour so that the purchaser can appreciate it.
They brand the pipe with a Gold Dot – the Punto Oro (left).
Maybe they even designate a promising piece of briar to be hand carved according to the direction of the grain - the Autograph. (right)
These pipes will often have a smooth finish, and are nearly always light – exception when a small spot appears,
and a panelled (part smooth part sandblast) finish is more appropriate.
Even when the briar bowl is not as high quality as the Punto Oro, special grains can be found,
relatively free from surface flaws.
And the finish is kept light like these Siena pipes.
We asked Savinelli if it were possible to have a third finish for the Dry System pipes.
Between us we agreed that the pipes with the more attractive grains,
a good proportion of hard wood
and minimum surface flaws, could have the lighter, more natural finish.
Using only one coat of stain would keep the price down – a double benefit.
And so the “Chiara” was born.
The Marca pipes come from a factory that works with thousands of turned bowls – this keeps the price lower
through economy of scale. And in every dozen pipes there will be a few with attractive grain patterns, and lack of surface flaws that are worth showing off .
 
So we have the Marca Mignon Natural
and the Marca Snug Natural.
The purchaser can appreciate the finish and check the proportion of hard and soft wood and any possible flaws.
Even more so with the Nording Eriksen Keystone pipe
with its separate bowl.
Four bowl finishes, but the most beautiful is the “Natural”
– the blonde and black combination is stunning.
Hard wood: This responds better than the soft wood to the initial cleaning and drying processes.
A bowl with good hard wood will be lighter in weight, more porous and quicker to form the protective carbon lining
in the bowl, ensuring the desired cool dry smoke.
However, softer wood with its deeper colour, is essential to create a beautiful grain pattern.
Let’s give you a special opportunity to add one of these lighter coloured pipes to your collection.
October 17 – October 30, 2019
25% off the attractive lighter coloured pipes with their beautiful graining:
Savinelli Giubileo d'Oro R9500.00
Savinelli Punto Oro Natural or Fume from R3000.00
Savinelli Autograph from R4850.00
Savinelli Siena R1850.00
Savinelli Dry System Chiara finish from R1395.00
Marca Natural – Snug or Mignon from R485.00
Nording Eriksen Keystone from R680.90
20% off the unique Dunhill White Spot Root Briar: From R8500.00 |
Next time you are shown a pipe in a lighter, almost natural, finish, take advantage of the fact that nothing is hidden.
You know exactly what you are getting – and will appreciate the pipe all the more.
The finish is restricted to finer grained pipes.
Colin Wesley
No.463 October 10 - 23, 2019
PS Have you seen the new Zippo Woodchuck lighters?
Zippo, in partnership with WOODCHUCK USA, and their Buy One. Plant One.® program, will plant one tree for every lighter sold. Consumers can use the special code in each box to learn where their trees are planted.
Note:
By law, no South African citizen, living in South Africa can buy a tobacco product via the internet or postal system. In fact, you may not receive a tobacco product through the post.
In addition we may not receive payment through the internet for tobacco products.
We may only supply tobacco products within the trade – not to private individuals. The fine is substantial
Contact us for help in getting tobacco to your area.
You can read previous articles from “Across the Counter” in The Archives Library.
|
(ZAR)
