Barbi 


Grading
Each Barbi pipe is stamped with one of the following grades, indicating both graining of the wood and the degree of difficulty (time spent) in making the pipe. Thus a certain sandblast model might be more expensive than a smooth pipe requiring less labor.

CC - CB - CA - BC - BB - BA - AC - AB - AA - C - B - A - A0 - A1 - A2 - A3 - Ax (where x represents infinity)

Further, within each grade are price variations so, in effect, each Barbi pipe is individually priced. It is for this reason that a definitive price list can not be established- only that Barbi pipes start at $495.

The Rainer Barbi dating code
Now pay attention folks, for this gets a bit complex
A = 1997, B = 1998, C = 1999, D = 2000, E = 2001, F = 2002, G = 2003
The months from January to December of any given year are coded
Z, Y, X, W, V, U, T, S, R, P, N, M 
with Z standing for January and M for December
Normally, the month is the first letter stamped and the year the second, but to quote Rainer: "...sometimes I made this in another way." 

Check out what myths Rainer Barbi debunks in
The Briar Saga
 (written for PIPE magazine, The Netherlands, 2001)

For more information concerning Rainer and his work you can go directly to his web site by clicking here

Note: Because the production of Barbi pipes is so limited the number of dealers selected to carry this brand are few. Please go to the DEALER DIRECTORY to find a Barbi dealer.

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