Savanelli Roma - Shape 614

[Bob Loblaw]

The Savanelli brand has long been a favorite of mine, and in my experience they produce a quality pipe at a reasonable price that is made of quality materials, and is built solidly. The Roma shape 614 is no different.

This shape is a full bent, and has a light but even rustication on all sides with the smoothness of a sand blast. The stain is a handsome brown/burgundy and even everywhere on the pipe. The engineering is spot on, with the draft hole dead center and flush with the bottom of the bowl. The stem is solidly constructed, (I believe made from lucite), with a spot for a filter (though I never use one), and there is a moisture trap of the same type that Peterson uses.

The bend in the stem is perfect, and the pipe hangs weightlessly in the mouth. Perhaps a little too perfect on second thought. It hangs right where I get the smoke from the bowl rising in my face if I am even the slightest bit bent forward. This pipe however is ideal to use when both hands are needed, and is rugged enough to be smoked while doing yard work, woodworking, or a hike through the forest.

I will say that the Roma does build cake effortlessly, and for some reason faster than any of my other pipes, even when smoked with the same tobaccos. I seem to be reaming this one more often than any of my others. To some this might be a downfall, to myself, I like the fact that I know the bowl is always well protected from burnout. I believe that the bowl is somewhere around a Dunhill Group 4 size.

My 614 is dedicated to English and latakia blends, and as such I have never smoked another type of tobacco in it, so I cannot comment how well it smokes other types of tobaccos. For the English blends though, the tobaccos burn evenly and always down to the bottom of the bowl. I can count on one hand how many times I have had to relight once the tobacco is burning well. By the previous comment I mean when I am using a good and proper smoking technique.

Now that I have given the upside, there are a few downfalls. The hole through the stem is a bit smaller than I generally like, and it is impossible to get a fluffy cleaner passed through, so the smaller pipe cleaners are a necessity. The bit is also a tad wider than I usually like as well, through the nub and the thickness are ideal.

I would rate this pipe as such:

Quality of workmanship and engineering - 8
Comfort while smoking - 9
Aesthetics - 7.5
Value for the money - 9.5

Overall - 8.5

[tranders]

I also have a Sav.614 and find it very comfortable and a decent smoker.

[Bob Loblaw]

Savanelli 614 image

[Drifter]

Yep, another Savinelli Roma fan here, among mine also being a 614. Excellent pipe line, as are all others from Savinelli I've ever smoked.