Claudio Cavicchi began making pipes for himself and his friends in 1974. In the 1980's he began selling to Italian pipe shops. He prefers to make large, classic sizes. He used to make 1,200 pieces a year but in his continual pursuit of quality he now makes under 600 pipes a year.

He works in the traditional artisanal tradition with only his wife, Daniela, helping him with the finishing. Each pipe is made from either Calabrian or Ligurian briar blocks personally selected by Claudio. He then slowly cures them with his secret process for a period of three years. Each pipe has a perfectly drilled draft hole and acrylic Lucite mouthpiece. All Cavicchi pipes come sleeved.

Claudio is a passionate pipe smoker, preferring Virginia Perique blends. He regularly enters pipe smoking competitions. He was in the Italian world cup winning team at Interlaken , (Switzerland), 1994. Claudio traveled to Austria for the world championship in 1995 and in 2003 beat the world record time in Barcelona.

Claudio is a retired farmer and lives near Bologna & the vast majority are sold in Italy at finer tobacco shops. His annual production is a maximum of 600 pipes a year. We have heard nothing but praise for the smoking quality, meticulous craftsmanship and wonderful graining, all at a reasonable price. Keep in mind his limited production affects availability. If you see one that speaks to you, grab it, there may never be another like it.