Savinelli Autographs are the best of the best Savinelli pipes. Savinelli uses extra, extra grade plateau briar. The Autograph line pipes are hand made from beginning to the finished product, with the shape of the briar determining the shape of the finished pipe. This hand crafting production method results in all pipes being an original and unique shape. I was given this pipe in the 1960s when I was in college. This is an elegant, good smoker, for which I received many admiring comments. For domestic reasons, I put this pipe on a closet shelf to remain unsmoked for 50+ years. My loss is your gain.