199. A Chat with Giacomo Penzo, Peterson’s Pipe Specialist
by Adam O’Neill translated by Federica Bruno from the Italian Giacomo Penzo, the man behind the G. Penzo Pipes, is known for a hybrid approach to pipemaking — using his background in industrial design to craft a tool designed to work efficiently, but also one which exudes a sense of stylistic character. Be it Danish-inspired takes on the classics, more overtly Italian renditions, or — more recently — a more English bent from his tenure at Peterson, each of his takes is more impressive than the last. Federica and I recently sat down with Giacomo to chat about his beginnings in the craft, what’s new in his life, and how more recent events have changed his approach to pipemaking. A few of Giocomo’s recent creations You’ve been making pipes for some time now, especially for a younger guy. Can you tell us about how you got your start in the industry? I started to take an interest in pipes when I was 17 — between 2008 and 2009 — while attending high school. I tried to smoke cigars with some friends, all of us being fascinated by tobacco and smoking in general, which was kind of a taboo at our age. I found I liked the taste of tobacco, and started to grow an interest in its practical use until I had, quite inevitably, a flash of inspiration about pipes. At the time I attended an arts high school, and was excelling in sculpture. I learned how to model clay and plaster, how to develop and master my technical and manual skills, and how to express my artistic sensitivity. At home I had access to a proper DIY workshop which my dad and grandfather used for maintenance around the house and in the garden. So I had at my disposal a real arsenal of tools that helped and encouraged my desire of fabricating, inventing and experimenting. It didn’t take long for me to start making early examples that at least somewhat resembled pipes. Through experimentation and study, my affection for making pipes grew to such an extent as to make it a full blown hobby and a real passion. I did a lot of research and bought some books like Aldo Pellissone’s “Pipa Hobby”, a book about pipe making as a hobby which soon became my pipemaking Bible. Eventually I figured out that what I liked so much was that it allowed me to use my natural skills and fully satisfy my infatuation for creating, a drive which has been with me since I was a kid. Driven by a willingness to improve my work but not knowing anyone who smoked or made pipes, I started following online forums of enthusiastic pipe smokers and collectors, and presenting my work. Thanks to the advice I received there, I could see my pipes improving constantly. Once, during a meeting of enthusiasts and collectors in Padua, I met Massimiliano Rimensi of “Il Duca”, who after a while would welcome me into his workshop,…