Pfeifenbox

Brands

Le Nuvole (Maurizio Tombari)

Tier:

Affordable	Mid-grade	Elevated	High-grade	Top
		X

Maker's own site: http://www.pipe.it/

Country: Italy

Price: € 115+ (excluding sales tax)

Production method:

Factory	Machine-assisted	Freehand
		X

Notes: One of Italy's most praised artisans, Maurizio Tombari makes about 250 pipes a year. Shapes are often designed by his wife, Stefania. Maurizio uses few machines and does many things the hard way - e.g. by employing a dentist's drill for rustication.

Price groups are from 1 - 8 in ascending order, but the upper two grades are hardly ever found. New Le Nuvoles are almost solely available via the maker's website. The brand is rather rare on the estate market.

Comments: Maurizio would almost unanimously be considered a high-grader, if he switched to hand-cut ebonite stems (though his acrylic bits have a good reputation).

One limitation is the fairly uniform diameter of his tobacco chambers at 19/20mm. My only other gripe applies to most other Italians, too: I wish Le Nuvoles were sometimes contrast-stained to emphasise the beauty of the grain.

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