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Mastro de Paja

Tier:

Country: Italy

Price: € 110 - 1000+

Production method:

Notes: Founded in 1972 and now run by Alberto Montini, Mastro de Paja produces over 5000 pipes a year in a style close to that of Ser Jacopo, though often slightly more elaborate. The brand has an excellent reputation, but not as Olympic as Castello's. The pipes are often pleasantly light, and the bits are thin, despite the use of acrylic material.

Grades (in ascending order): 0A, 0B, 0C, 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B, 2C, 3A, 3B, 3C, Fiamatta. Pipes higher than 3A are often described as high-grade Mastros.

Comments: Mastros smoke excellently, and some look stunning, but they do not retain their value on the estate market very well. This is probably due to the fact that high-grade collectors tend to avoid them, preferring true artisan pipes to similarly priced high-end pieces by Mastro. Personally, I consider their lower-grade pipes truly excellent value for the money, though I am rarely greatly impressed by their more expensive offerings. Like some others, I see outstanding grain and a lot of ornamental fuss, but do not really detect much 'soul'.

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