Spanu Clairmont pickup

[Sigmund]

Says its by Spanu. Either way I like it and thought it different. I wont have it for a while since it ships to my sis. Unsmoked.

Tom Spanu CLAIRMONT OLEA EXCELSA (ICEPICK CHURCHWARDEN PIPE) *UNSMOKED* | eBay

MINT, UNSMOKED condition and is ready to smoke. Very clean pipe.

www.ebay.com

 

[tobakenist]

Nice pipe, is it Olive or pear wood ?

 

[Sigmund]

Ive really no idea. I know there are a lot of olive pipes out of Italy and Spanu did a lot in olive later so my guess is its olive but older so its aged a bit on its own and not white. I could be 100 percent wrong. The seller doesnt say. Ive been wanting a chruchwarden style pipe. This is kind of a different take on the design.

 

[Uguccione]

I'm just reading now: it's olive tree.
But I would leave the Clairmont alone and go only for the Tom Spanu briar pipes. They are all made of Sardinian briar (among the finest in the world), he collected it himself, seasoned it with his own method, and then worked it.
In my opinion Spanu's hand is not very clean, they are often a little clumsy pipes, but if you look at the substance they can be an excellent purchase.

 

[Sigmund]

@Uguccione I got the pipe and its bigger than it looked and not very comfortable to hold. I didnt even smoke it. I will probably pass it on. I agree. it lacks the detail in many other pipes that I appreciate.

 

[LotusEater]

I have two Spanu pipes and they are both very large. One I have never smoked because it just feels too large and unwieldy. I’m still interested in picking up one of his cork pipes though and I’m hoping to find one with reasonable proportions.

 

[bayareabriar]

I'm just reading now: it's olive tree.
But I would leave the Clairmont alone and go only for the Tom Spanu briar pipes. They are all made of Sardinian briar (among the finest in the world), he collected it himself, seasoned it with his own method, and then worked it.
In my opinion Spanu's hand is not very clean, they are often a little clumsy pipes, but if you look at the substance they can be an excellent purchase.

Several Clairmont are Sardinian briar. Stamped made in Greece also. Thier stem fitting is sub par though.

 

[Uguccione]

Several Clairmont are Sardinian briar

I wasn't sure about this, while those signed "Tom Spanu" are certainly made of Sardinian briar. For this reason, when in doubt, it is better to look at his Sardinian production.

 

[Uguccione]

I have two Spanu pipes and they are both very large

Yes, they are often huge. I saw a wonderful one on ebay.it, grade F3 (fiammata), but it is 17cm long, 25mm hole and weighs 70g.
I have difficulty managing diameters over 22mm. and to hold smokes lasting more than two hours. I had to leave it there

 

[LotusEater]

Here is one of my Spanu pipes beside a Radice for comparison

 

[Uguccione]

@LotusEater
When smoked - in terms of taste - which one do you like best?

 

[LotusEater]

If you mean the Spanu vs the Radice I’m not sure but I’d probably say the Radice. The Radice pictured above is a favorite of mine and a particularly good smoker.

 

[Uguccione]

@LotusEater
Yes, that's what I meant. I have two Radice and a Spanu. In terms of briar they are perhaps on par, but in terms of workmanship the Radices are better made.
(sorry for the OT).

 

[dingdong]

Clairmont, Tom Spanu 1983