Radice pipes?

[Brewdude]

All-

Anyone have one and what can you tell me about them? They look like a well made Italian brand.

TIA


Cheers,

RR

 

[eklektos44]

Luigi Radice was a carver at the Caminetto factory, along with Roberto "Pepino" Ascorti. When Ascorti left and opened his own factory Luigi went out on his own. They are excellent pipes.

 

[juanmedusa]

They seem to have a great reputation and a solid following. One of the Italian makers I often look at but haven't acquired.

 

[Brewdude]

That's encouraging, but I'd sure like someone who has one to chime in.


Cheers,

RR

 

[ftrplt]

Have three; all just flat out great pipes. Exceptionally well-made, smoke Latweeds like a dream :cheers: FTRPLT

 

[Ocelot55]

I've seen many a Radice and restored a fair share as well but I do not own one, so take my opinion with a grain of salt. In my view, they offer a pretty good value for the money as an alternative to Castello or Cavicchi. Lots of good grain on the smooths. The downside is all the ones I've encountered, other than the twin bores (which IMHO was a terrible idea), have the cheap "no slot" acrylic stems that Italian pipes known for. I have seen a few fitted with Cumberland stems, but I've not seen them up close.

If you can't inspect the pipe you want in person then make sure the retailer has a generous return policy. Caveat Emptor.

 

[Dutch]

Rande, back in the spring of 2013 I did a review on a Radice AeroBilliard I purchased, which you probably remember. It is a very well made pipe, and I had nothing negative to say about it in my initial review.

After starting to work on the road, I stopped smoking it, because I didn't have the means to clean the 2nd chamber with spirits after every smoke. The second chamber collects quite a bit of residue, and I like to keep it cleaned out after each bowl I smoke.

I may come back to the pipe after I try using a paper towel in the 2nd chamber as someone here suggested. If more residue ends up on the paper towel, it may be a possible solution to my dilemma.

As for the stem work, finish, and draft hole centering, I was very pleased with the overall construction of the pipe. It had no bowl coating, which I also prefer when purchasing and breaking in a new pipe.

 

[Brewdude]

Thanks for the responses guys.

Jesse - not quite sure what you mean by "the cheap "no slot" acrylic stems that Italian pipes known for". Can you elaborate please?


Cheers,

RR

 

[Ocelot55]

Thanks for the responses guys.

Jesse - not quite sure what you mean by "the cheap "no slot" acrylic stems that Italian pipes known for". Can you elaborate please?


Cheers,

RR

Most factory made pipes that use acrylic stems have them pre-made. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, except 90% of these stems do not have a properly cut "slot" (pipe making terminology) or a deep "V" shaped funnel at the end of the stem. This means most of these stems are thick and can have a constricted air flow. Most pre made vulcanite stems are molded with some sort of slot, albeit fairly sloppy or insufficient, and the majority of hand-cut stems by reputable artisans are painstakingly engineered on the inside.

Radice falls somewhere between factory and handmade. The pipes themselves are not spit out of a frazing machine and are done mostly by hand, however most Italian pipe marquees pay little attention to the stem. In this respect getting a good smoker is quite possible, but a little less probable than the higher end artisans. I spend about as long making the stem of the pipe as I do the pipe itself. That sort of time is necessary to really ensure proper airlfow and aesthetics, but definitely increases the labor costs.

I think I answered your question, even if I rambled just a bit. If I wasn't clear enough I can elaborate further.

 

[RDPipes]

I have quit a few Radice's and the ones I smoke smoke fine. Like Jesse said, nothing extraordinary
but, just good smokers at a good value. I like Radice's for there esthetics mainly which is my downfall.
But, I'll never be able to afford a Castello, or a Ser Jacopo much less any of the other higher grades to smoke so there ya go.

 

[Brewdude]

Thanks for the responses guys.

Jesse - not quite sure what you mean by "the cheap "no slot" acrylic stems that Italian pipes known for". Can you elaborate please?


Cheers,

RR

Most factory made pipes that use acrylic stems have them pre-made. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, except 90% of these stems do not have a properly cut "slot" (pipe making terminology) or a deep "V" shaped funnel at the end of the stem. This means most of these stems are thick and can have a constricted air flow. Most pre made vulcanite stems are molded with some sort of slot, albeit fairly sloppy or insufficient, and the majority of hand-cut stems by reputable artisans are painstakingly engineered on the inside.

Radice falls somewhere between factory and handmade. The pipes themselves are not spit out of a frazing machine and are done mostly by hand, however most Italian pipe marquees pay little attention to the stem. In this respect getting a good smoker is quite possible, but a little less probable than the higher end artisans. I spend about as long making the stem of the pipe as I do the pipe itself. That sort of time is necessary to really ensure proper airlfow and aesthetics, but definitely increases the labor costs.

I think I answered your question, even if I rambled just a bit. If I wasn't clear enough I can elaborate further.

Thanks Jesse, I got the general idea.

I'll pm you with specific info.


Cheers,

RR

 

[DrumsAndBeer]

Good info. Thanks Jesse.

 

[eklektos44]

I can't speak to Radice stems, though I'm looking at a couple. I've never had problems with any of the Ascorti's I own. They may not be the hottest marque going, but they sure smoke well. I suspect Radice is the same.

 

[Brewdude]

Appreciate all the input brothers.

This all stems from an offer from my local SPC of a '15 POTY from Radice. All the pipes are in the same 1/4 bent Bulldog style, with 5 different finishes and corresponding prices.

My casual reconnaissance on new Radice pipes seems to indicate that the prices are good, but perhaps not great. Still, a well made pipe in a style that I favor could be a nice addition.

I'll take all these endorsements into consideration as I mull this over. I was not planning on adding a new pipe to the stable anytime soon, as most of my acquisitions recently have been estates - and even that has slowed down considerably.

Still, here's an opportunity. What I choose to do with it remains to be seen. And I do have another month or so to decide!



Cheers,

RR

 

[RDPipes]

Appreciate all the input brothers.

This all stems from an offer from my local SPC of a '15 POTY from Radice. All the pipes are in the same 1/4 bent Bulldog style, with 5 different finishes and corresponding prices.

My casual reconnaissance on new Radice pipes seems to indicate that the prices are good, but perhaps not great. Still, a well made pipe in a style that I favor could be a nice addition.

I'll take all these endorsements into consideration as I mull this over. I was not planning on adding a new pipe to the stable anytime soon, as most of my acquisitions recently have been estates - and even that has slowed down considerably.

Still, here's an opportunity. What I choose to do with it remains to be seen. And I do have another month or so to decide!



Cheers,

RR

The prices seem standard for what there offering, it's a shame I can't afford one cause these two are Beauts IMO.

 

[Brewdude]

This is the one that attracts me-

 

[RDPipes]

This is the one that attracts me-

That's the one I was going to purchase at the beginning of the year until I saw this one
and couldn't help myself.

 

[Brewdude]

This is the one that attracts me-

That's the one I was going to purchase at the beginning of the year until I saw this one
and couldn't help myself.

Well then, you did pretty well for yourself!

:tongue:


Cheers,

RR

 

[RDPipes]

Yes I did, didn't I

 

[ftrplt]

This is the one that attracts me-

That's the one I was going to purchase at the beginning of the year until I saw this one
and couldn't help myself.

Damn fine looking briar!!!! :cheers: FTRPLT