Radice pipes have been around since 1980, providing smokers the world over with top-quality Italian craftsmanship and design. A true "family affair", today all Radice pipes are made by only three craftsmen: Luigi "Gigi" Radice and his two sons, Marzio and Gian Luca.
As Radice is celebrating 30 years of pipe making, there are some exciting additions to the lineup for 2010. The Piperack is one of the largest Radice dealers in the world, and I've had the honour of hearing about some of these changes and being the first to offer some of them. There are new lines (such as the limited edition "Rubens Rhodesian" with the next Pease/DiPiazza design collaboration coming soon), new sizes (including a first for Radice: "Magnum" stamped pieces that are truly enormous!), new shapes (a new series of seven "classics" will be available by spring, complete with a seven-day-set case) and even more goodies to come.
And even though there has been a slight price increase for 2010 (which was expected), the retail on these pieces is still far below comparable lines from other manufacturers. By eliminating the middleman, the Radices continue to offer world-class, hand-carved Italian pipes at what can only be considered a steal. Rinds start at $165 and even the top-grade smooth, the Clear, can be had starting at $250. There's no wonder I recommend Radices above all other brands; when you consider the price against the quality and value you receive, no other maker comes close.
Here we have beautiful Radice Pitch paneled Poker. The "Pitch" grade are mainly smooth pipes with good grain that have small areas of rustication on them to eliminate natural flaws, but unlike most makers, the Radices don't just make random rustication marks on the pipe. No, if they need to rusticate a small panel, they'll rusticate the other side as well, to make the pipe look proper. It's little details like this that separate the Radices from so many other makers. This particular Pitch has small, thin rustication running up each corner of the flat panels; to match, the pipe also has the same treatment applied to the shank. The pipe features nice mixed flamegrain on the smooth panels, a medium-large chamber, smooth rim and thin, comfortable single-bore stem.
Markings read: RADICE, PITCH, hand made in Italy, 29. Stem is black Lucite, with Radice's two-dot briar logo. Measurements: 5 1/2" long, bowl is 1 3/8" wide and just under 2" tall. The pipe weighs in at 49 grams. About a Dunhill group 5 in capacity.
Condition:
10 out of 10. Unsmoked and perfect; complete with Radice sleeve.
