My Second Mastro de Paja

It arrived today. After waiting all weekend, it finally arrived this afternoon. It was worth the wait. I found this one on E-bay. I was almost sniped out of it but managed to snipe the sniper in the last second of the auction. Serves him right. I hope I ruined his day.

This Mastro is nice. I don’t often go for straight models but this one called to me from afar. I suppose one would have to call it a Rhodesian or a Bulldog but I don’t really like to hang myself in names. I like the form of this one and that’s good enough. I like the half rustication too. In fact the whole finish on this pipe is very nice.

It is marked as a “Medio” followed by the number “5”. It bears the Sun stamp, the name “Pesaro” and, of course, the Mastro signature stamp.
Should anyone be in any doubt, it is also marked  “Fatta a mano” and “Italy”.
The stem is decorated with the round Mastro de Paja silver badge.

Dimensions:

Length: 150 mm

Height: 51 mm

Bowl: Ø 50 mm at the widest point

Chamber: Ø 23 mm x 45 mm

Airway: 4 mm and the stem is bored for a 9 mm filter

I have several 9mm filter pipes but never do I smoke them with a filter. I see no reason to use one. Generally I buy a plug to replace the filter and reduce the stem airway to 4 mm.

I have only one small detail to get sorted out. This is an estate pipe and the person who owned it before me has smoked a really foul aromatic tobacco in it. That aromatic has left a ghost that will need exorcising before I can really enjoy this pipe. I will try smoking a latakia blend in it for the first three bowls and then see if the ghost remains. If it does, then I will treat the bowl with salt and alcohol.

For €83.00, I think I have a bargain here. It is light and elegant and may well become a favourite for smoking whilst walking the dogs.