Luigi Viprati from Brescia, Italy

"To smoke a pipe is not to be considered as a vice, it is art and a way of life!"

I want to introduce at this page the two pipes I own by Luigi Viprati.

If you like what you see, you can order a pipe from Luigi via

email and negotiate about the details you want to your pipe. The address is:

alebaici@tin.it

The guy, who answers is Alessandro Baici. He knows everything about Viprati's pipes

and is the man with whom you should discuss about the things you want for you pipe.

Viprati has became awfully popular in the States recently because of the

group purchases that were recently made through the "alt.smokers.pipes" -group.

Hundreds of briars by L. Viprati were bought via a joint order quite afford-

ably in the degree that some American dealers did not like it and as far

as I know, this has come to its end now!

From this you can see that Viprati makes good pipes and has a variety of

them from the cheapest sandblasted to the 4. and 5. quadrifoglio (class).

Like Bonfiglioli Luigi Viprati belongs under the group of those who honour

the old Italian artisan tradition.

The first pipe I bought from Viprati was this sandblasted half bent Rhodesian

(USD 70 in 1997). It is quite close to a Bulldog, but is called Rhodesian.

Because of the shape I was very near to burn it through at the outer low end of the

bowl. Luckily I noticed this and with careful puffing managed to get a shielding

cake to prevent the mishap.

Luigi Viprati, Brescia, has carved by hand,

"fatta a mano" this beautiful Rhodesian

Viprati Calabash

After positive experiences from the Rhodesian

I bought a handsome Calabash, which is in the

2. Quadrifoglio of Viprati pipes. It is among

my best smokers, and a very skilfully made pipe

with almost straight grain.

2Q from above

The thick bowltop of a Calabash shape with its birds-

eye grain is clearly seen from above