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The Don Carlos Grading Guide©

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Don Carlos

All the Don Carlos pipes are stamped:
"Don Carlos" - "FATTA A MANO" (Made by Hand) - "IN ITALIA".
See photo below:

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On the page:

The Grading System

Special Models

Art et Labor

The Don Carlos Grades

The photos on this page show only examples of pipes that were given the grade that is being illustrated.
The DC grading is applied regardless of the shape of the pipe.

Click to Enlarge	First Grade: Rusticated, black stain, stamped with 1 musical Note.
Click to Enlarge	Second Grade: Rusticated, tan color, stamped with 2 musical Notes.
Click to Enlarge	Third Grade: Known as "semi-rusticated", though in most cases, it only partially rusticated. The color is natural or a slightly natural orange-brown, stamped with 3 musical Notes.
Click to Enlarge	Fourth Grade: This is the entry grade in the smooth (natural) finish: Smooth, natural color, stamped with 1 musical Note.
Click to Enlarge	Fifth Grade: Smooth, natural color, stamped with 2 musical Notes.
Click to Enlarge	Sixth Grade: Smooth, natural color, stamped with 3 musical Notes.
Click to Enlarge	Seventh Grade: This is the entry grade in the "Fiammata" (Straight Grain) finish: Smooth, natural color, stamped "Fiammata", with 1 musical Note.
Click to Enlarge	Eighth Grade: This is the second grade in the "Fiammata" (Straight Grain) finish: Smooth, natural color, stamped "Fiammata", stamped with 2 musical Notes.
Click to Enlarge	Ninth (and highest) Grade: This is the highest grade in the "Fiammata" (Straight Grain) finish: Smooth, natural color, stamped "Fiammata", "Corale", 3 musical Notes. This is the only Don Carlos grade that has a name "Corale". ("Grade" should not be confused with "Model" or "Shape".)

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Special Models

These are models that are regularly produced, and are stamped with their repective names, regardless of the grade.
They follow the same grading system you see above.

Click to Enlarge	Melos: It's regularly made in this shape, but the distinctive characteristics of the model are the elaborate DC sliver band, the round gold-like band, and the Army Mount.
Click to Enlarge	Montana: The Montana was created in this shape, with the Army Mount, silver band, and the round briar insert. Occasionally, Bruto would make a Montana of another shape, such asat Freeform Apple, which you can see on the page of Special Models.
Click to Enlarge	Bolero: The original idea behind this model belongs to one of Bruto's friends and devoted customers; it was the very first time Bruto listens to someone! BUT! As always, Bruto used his imagination and at the end, the final shape proved fascinating even to the person who originally had the idea! What makes a Bolero is not only the shape itself, but also the narrow silver band and the elaborate briar insert in the shank.
Click to Enlarge	Kales: (pronounced: /ka'les/) This is the FIRST pipe, in this shape, with this name: "Kales". Five years ago Bruto decided to make a special series of pipe to commemorate his home town, Cagli. Beginning of this year, 2000, he made this elaborately inscribed silver band that shows the initials "DC", with a symbol Bruto based on the logo of his town, but flipped. Bruto also sees this symbol as a symbol of his family: Three dots standing for the three children he has, and the two arms as him and his wife, Rosaria. So, there are two shapes with the name Kales, one with the DC US importer and it is a Calabash, one with Bruto and it is a bent Apple, and this one here. According to Bruto, the name "Kales" is the old name for Cagli, and it means "Street" or "Way", while the word "Kale" in old Greek means "Beautiful"
Click to Enlarge	Sisma: (pronounced: /siz'ma/) Again this is a model that has a lot of sentimental value to Bruto. The word "Sisma" in Italian means "earthquake". When the area where Bruto lives was hit by a strong earthquake and many old buildings and houses were destroyed, Bruto, walking in the streets of his beloved town, stumbled upon a piece of oak that is estimated to be hundreds of years old. In order to commemorate this sad event, and put this piece of oak to good use, Bruto made a pipe with a mouthpiece insert, made of this oak! The very first model is in my private collection. Later he modifies the shape and it became what you see in the photo here.

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The Rare "Ars et Labor"

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These are, by all means, extremely rare pipes that are based on an innovative design, an exceptional way of utilizing the natural grain of the briar, or a combination of both. "Ars et Labor" are pipes that Bruto spends at least double the amount of time to design and make them. (He is also very attached to each and every one of them). How come you've never seen or heard of them? Simple: Only the prototype of a particular shape and/or grain (the very first one to be made) carries this exclusive name "Ars et Labor". Later, when Bruto has the time and energy (and is in the right frame of mind), he could duplicate them (never to down to every detail, naturally). The two pipes presented here are more than RARE. They are both true prototypes, carrying the name "Ars et Labor". We are able to offer them here, thanks to Bruto's generosity and friendship. We are proud to be the only site on-line that reveals this unique series, let alone offer TWO of them for sale. The prices, as we hope you will understand, are only symbolic. Remember, only ONE pipe of a unique grain and/or design can carry the name "Ars et Labor".

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