What makes a
Gepetto pipe different from a Ser Jacopo?XX
We’ve been asked this question
quite a number of times since introducing the Gepetto line. And
it’s a good question.
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Gepetto uses Extra Extra grade briar |
Ser Jacopo uses Extra Extra plateaux briar. |
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Gepetto uses a conventional straight drill for all it's pipes. |
Ser Jacopo uses a flexible drill for deep bends. |
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Gepetto pipes are made in one finish (rustic) and 4 stains. |
Ser Jacopo's come in 9 finishes and 12 stains. |
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Gepetto pipes are limited to 15 prescribed shapes. |
Ser Jacopo has unlimited shape possibilities. |
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Gepetto pipes have a suggested retail price approximately 25%
lower than the least expensive Ser Jacopo. |
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While we are most proud of the similarities in quality and craftsmanship
between the two lines, there are some specific reasons for the
the difference in suggested retail prices. |
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First and foremost, Gepetto and Ser Jacopo are made from the
same Extra-Extra grade of briar. There's one subtle difference
- Ser Jacopo uses XX Plateaux, which includes the bark on the
outer surface often associated with freehand pipes. Gepetto's
briar is XX, but without the bark Since none of the Gepetto shapes
make use of the outer bark, and the briar mill charges a lot
more for it, we decided not to add the cost for something we
won't be using. |
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You shouldn't think Gepettos are made from lower quality briar.
The fact is that of the numerous grades of briar, the XX grades
stand at the tip of the pyramid, by which we mean they are the
costliest and and rarest. When the burl is hacked away from the
bush a portion of the burl is smooth and a portion is rough with
the bark. All "Plateaux" briar comes from the outer
part of the burl. The briar for Gepetto comes from the smooth
parts of the burl, and that for Ser Jacopo from the rough part.
Click here for a photo from the Viprati
Briar Mill Tour which illustrates this point. |
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Reason 2: the draft hole of Ser Jacopo pipes are drilled with
a special flexible drill. This results in draft holes which allow
a pipe cleaner to pass through to the bottom of the bowl without
having to take the pipe apart. Smokers, especially of bent pipes,
appreciate this advantage! However, it comes at a cost, which
is the time needed to adjust the machine to bore an infinite
number of shapes and sizes. Gepetto uses a conventional tool,
resulting in a very real savings of time . |
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Ser Jacopo makes pipes in a wide variety of finishes and stains,
the Gepetto line is available in one finish - a rugged rustic
carving, and in 4 stains: 200 series Dark Plum; 300 series Mahogany;
400 series Natural and a 500 series Natural Fumeè. |
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Additionally, the selection of 15 shapes, as opposed to the infinite
possibility for Ser Jacopo range saves considerable time. The
limited number of finishes, stains and shapes combine to allow
Ser Jacopo to utilize the economies of scale they have learned
over the past few years during the development and production
of their Picta and La Pipaccia series. |
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Other than these small differences, the time needed to produce
a Gepetto and a Ser Jacopo is virtually identical. Both are made
by Ser Jacopo's craftsmen of XX briar. Stems are hand cut of
rod plexiglass for both lines, and the Gepetto logo is a sterling
silver silhouette of Pinocchio inlaid into the stem, while Ser
Jacopo's is an inlaid sterling silver "J". Both lines
are fully boxed and gloved, and covered by the same warranty. |
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It's our hope this information will be helpful in making your
decision. For those already familiar with the comfort and great
smoking characteristics of Ser Jacopo pipes we believe you'll
find Gepetto shares their great characteristics! |
