2009 World Championship Pipe

It would be remiss of me not to post this pipe after having posted on the championships. The pipe is the best thing that came out of the competition and is a very pleasant smoker indeed. Made by the Szabo Cooperative in Hungary, it is a faux silver spigot bearing silver on both stem and shank but using mortice and tenon connection to fix the acrylic stem to bowl.

The pipe is marked “Szabo Cooperaci” with a normal stamp but almost under the shank is engraved “Hungary”, and I do mean engraved. The bowl sports similar engraving depicting the logo used for the championships. The lettering around the logo reads “World Cup in Pipe Smoking” – “Debrecen 11.10.2009”. I have no idea as to the process involved in this engraving. It may be laser cut or milling. Either way, the effect is stunning and very crisp as opposed to the stamping.

The markings on the silverwork are a simple “925” encircled in an oval ring on the stem side of the spigot.

The bowl is rusticated in 270 degrees leaving the port side smooth for the logo. It is comfortable to hold in the hand and is a well balanced piece of briar. The engineering is superb, the 4 mm airway meeting the bottom of the chamber at dead centre.

Dimensions:

Length: 150 mm

height: 50 mm

Bowl: Ø39 mm

Chamber: Ø20 mm x 42 mm