Baldo Baldi Pipes

Baldo Baldi wakes up at 5:30 every morning, when the faint lights of the sunrise linger on the sea of Quarto, Genova.

He makes his coffee, looks after the several vases of camelias on his terrace, then he lights the first of six-seven daily pipes, smoking a mixture of St. Bruno Flake and Park Lane n° 7. Just the time to focus the night intuitions, he then leaves for work.

Baldo is used to spending whole days in his workshop in via del Chiapparo, typical Genoese “croesa”, just a few hundred steps from his house. Baldo does not make more than 150 pipes per year. Yet these pipes are famous around the world for the original shapes, quality of materials and maniacal attention to detail.

His love for pipes began back in 1966 when he started making some for friends. During the 70’s, he decided to stop working as an Architect, and devoted his whole life to pipe making.

Since that time he has never ceased to amaze enthusiasts and collectors.

Baldo’s pipes are made with Ligurian briar, from Badalucco and Arma di Taggia, and have been seasoned for 20-25 years in his workshop. He spends hours trying to find the best shape for each block of briar, working the pipe as a real sculpture. He only uses files, rasps and sandpaper to make his pipes. In his workshop you cannot find other electric tools except a drilling and polishing machine. Mouthpieces are hand made with lucite.