SPC Pipe of the Year 2015 - Radice Bulldogs
The Seattle Pipe Club is proud to introduce its 2015 Pipe of the Year, the Radice Bulldogs. These handmade pipes feature a variation of the classic bulldog shape, with a tapered shank and acrylic bit. It is offered for the first time, in not one, but five different finishes. Prices range from $175 to $255, making them some of the most affordable pipes that we have offered. (And of course, they will be stamped "SPC 2015".)
Radice Pipes is a family-run business, with master carver Luigi Radice and his two sons Gianluca & Marizio. Luigi has been making pipes for 54 years and is still going strong. Luigi started his career as a carver for the Castello shop in 1961. He later joined Pepino Ascorti and Gianni Davoli to create Caminetto pipes in 1974. In 1980, the three went there separate ways with Ascorti and Radice formed there own shops.
Ascorti and Caminetto pipes have not changed much in the last 30 years. No so with Radice. Luigi has come up with new shapes, finishes, and curing method over the years. His creativity shows in his many variations of standard shapes, such as this bulldog.
Anyone who owns a Radice pipe will rave about how well it smokes. Radice pipes are equal to the best that Italy has to offer . . . at any price.
Speaking of price, here are photos of the pipes and their prices.
Radice "Rind" finish with smooth top. - $175
Classic rusticated finish with "clear" top
Radice "Rind" finish with "Underwood" top - $190
Classic rusticated finish with Radice's unique "Underwood" carved top
Radice "Silk Cut" finish - $200
Radice's sandblasts are hard to find. Here's your chance to get one.
Radice "Radice" finish - $225
Smooth finish with Luigi's special high-contrast stain.
Radice "Clear" finish - $255
This is their top-of-the-line grade.
Dimensions*
Length = 5 1/2”
Height = 2”
Weight = 60 gm.
Outside Bowl Diam. = 1.9”
Inside Bowl Diam. = .8”
Inside Bowl Depth = 1.7"
Mortise Hole Diam. = 8 mm
Draft hole = 3.5 mm
Stem hole = 3 - 2 mm (tapered)
* Dimensions are approximate
The pipes in the photos are the prototypes. Finished pipes will be as similar as possible but remember they are handmade and there will be slight but insignificant differences.