Aldo Velani Pipes

[Kapnismologist]

Gentlemen,

Always on the search for inexpensive pipes which might turn out to be good smokers (and I do find them, from time to time), I recently bought a large, rusticated bent bulldog with a lucite stem (or, at least something inspired by that shape) marked simply 'VELANI' - Nuova - ITALY from Jay and Louise (of Hermit fame) for a very minimal price. It has turned out to be a great smoker, the massive piece of briar that it is keeping it quite cool even when abused a bit. I have already, in fact, dedicated it to Virginia-Oriental blends and so guess it has made it into my rotation.

My assumption is that this is an Aldo Velani pipe. I have found bits of information here and there searching on the net (there is a brief ref. in Pipedia - apparently a Barontini made for the US market), but nothing too solid - prices and styles and finishes and such varying quite widely it seems.

Does anyone here have any experience with these pipes? I am seriously considering hunting down a few more (eBay?) if it may well be the case that the one I have perched in my jaw is not a fluke.

Any info. would be more than welcome.

Here are some snapshots:

 

[bronxbill]

K

I would say you are correct about the manufacturer based on the logo on the stem in the bottom picture; it matches the one on my Aldo Velani. Mine is a silver spigot bent, and is a great smoker. I keep thinking I need to get more of his pipes. The price is certainly right.

 

[Kapnismologist]

K

I would say you are correct about the manufacturer based on the logo on the stem in the bottom picture; it matches the one on my Aldo Velani. Mine is a silver spigot bent, and is a great smoker. I keep thinking I need to get more of his pipes. The price is certainly right.

Great, thanks for that - makes sense to me. Given your positive experience with the one you have, I may well try to hunt down a few more. The price on this one was certainly a great one, and I hope maybe that I can find a few more of a similar type. Cheers!

 

[Wet Dottle]

I’ve had 3 AVs in the past. They were all good smokers. They had varnish on the outside and lucite stems, therefore they were always shiny, something that I appreciated. They all had smooth finish and one had quite a few fills. I don’t know if rusticated AVs are varnished or waxed. The ones I had were bought from Bob Hamlin when he dumped the brand and they all smoked as well as many expensive pipes. Considering that they were low priced pipes, I have absolutely nothing bad to say about them.

On a side note, all my varnished pipes smoke as well as the waxed ones and never displayed any problems many mention about that type of finish (that clogs the wood pores, that doesn’t let the briar breathe, that causes the pipe to smoke wet, etc.). Currently I have two varnished Rinaldos that are smoked regularly. I think this hobby or ours is full of myths…

 

[Kapnismologist]

Wet Dottle,

Thanks for the info. - the one I purchased is waxed. When I am looking for more, I will probably stick with those which are rusticated. So far, seems a good deal to be sure!

 

[Sasquatch]

I think the varnish myth started because some badly cured (cheapo) pipes were varnished or laquered, and didn't smoke good. But most of the pipemakers I am in contact with are absolutely sure that the finish on a pipe makes no real difference, as long as it's a finish that can take the heat, so to speak.