Becker from Rome, Italy: Hand-made pipes by Fritz and Paolo Becker
 Becker logo with briar rings |
Fritz Becker began making pipes in 1970's in downtown Rome. His briar ring logo was trademarked in 1979. Fritz made the Becker pipes together with his son Paolo right from the start. After Fritz death Paolo continued the tradition of pipe making. | |
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Fritz Becker was not only a talented pipe artesan. He was an Austrian Jew, who escaped from Vienna to England. Being a linquist he served as interpreter for British Intelligence throughout WWII. He also was a painter and sculptor. As if all this wasn't enough, he was a representative to the Vatican for the World Jewish Congress.
Becker pipes are from Calabrian briar, which air-dries for three to five years before the pipe carving begins. The production of Becker pipes is limited. One year's production is said to be less than 500 pipes.
A Becker site in the U.S.A.
There is also brand called Becker & Music̣. These pipes are perhaps somewhat better affordable than the original, under the brand name Becker, produced pipes. | ||
My first Becker, a rusticated pipe from late 80's, June 2002
Wonderfully rusticated and stained pipe with a little bend
In smooth Becker pipes shape flows beautifully to the grain. Paolo Becker can be described
as a perfectionist as it comes to pipe making. The amount of work dedicated to every pipe is
terrific. The rusticated pipes like mine are deeply carved and they have a look of a craggy
sandblast. I am fond also of the stain in this pipe. It gives the original two-coloured looks
for the pipe.
The Becker pipe from top. Thick, smooth rim!
I got this pipe from eBay with less than USD 100. I believe this was a great bargain as there
are not so many old Becker's for sale these days. The seller was Hermit Tobacco, Ohio and
I found this Becker on the "Other Pipes" page. There was only six bids three hours before the
auction closing, when I noticed it. Mine was the seventh, and it really was my lucky night!
First smoking experiences
I filled the well cleaned and sanitized pipe with GH Brown Flake only half full and right after the
charring light I sighed deep. This pipe is from heaven! Wonderful, mellow smokes caressed my mouth
and nostrils. Everything burnt to dry ashes with no gurgles. Of course BF is great blend, but this
pipe seemed to rise it almost to a transcendental level. This was my first, but absolutely not my last
Becker, I swear!