Angelo Fassi – The Versatile Pipe Maker From Italy
We had the pleasure of meeting Angelo Fassi at the 2024 "Pfeiferei" pipe fair in Stuttgart Vaihingen, where he showcased some of his pipes. Naturally, we couldn’t resist – you’ll now find our selection in the shop. Angelo Fassi attended the fair with his wife and stood out with his exceptionally polite manner and effortlessly elegant Italian style.
The First Pipes by Angelo Fassi
Born in 1958, Angelo Fassi lives in Appiano Gentile, Italy. He was originally a competitive judoka and is now a practicing oral surgeon. He began his pipe-making journey under the guidance of Bertram Safferling, though his love for pipes started earlier, when he smoked his father's Savinelli at age 14. His interest deepened further when, at 16, he visited the production site of Caminetto pipes.
Only decades later, after completing his studies in dentistry and establishing his career in oral surgery, did Angelo begin crafting his own pipes. This was further sparked by a pipe-making course in 2008. After the course, he purchased tools from a retiring local pipe maker and established connections with Italian artisans like Gabriele Dal Fiume and Massimiliano “Il Duca” Rimensi, who provided valuable advice.
Well Connected
Fassi is a member of the Academia della Pipa, an academy for high-quality Italian pipe craftsmanship. He has also been influenced by other makers, including Maurizio Tombari from Le Nuvole and the late Paolo Becker. Fassi’s techniques and style are shaped by the Danish tradition, but also show elements of the Italian baroque style.
He has shared his knowledge and experience with others, such as Roberto Franzini of Franz Pipes, with whom he has a close personal and professional friendship. The two often appear together at pipe shows, including in Stuttgart in 2024.
A Man of Style: Angelo Fassi Pipes
Fassi’s more classic pipes often combine traditional shapes. For example, he might merge the flat, broad bowl of a pot with the slim, long shank of a Liverpool. From these familiar components, he creates something entirely new. He primarily uses briar wood for the bowls and ebonite for the stems. For accents, he uses only natural materials along with silver, exotic woods, and horn.
Angelo prefers sandblasted and smooth finishes and often listens to music while crafting. He’s especially fond of Brazilian Bossa Nova. Angelo also streams his pipe-making process live on Instagram, where followers can watch his techniques in real time. Another hobby that has greatly broadened his horizons is amateur radio – his call sign is I2FVS.
Still Part-Time
Currently, Fassi makes his pipes part-time, but plans to go full-time in 2026, when he retires from dentistry. He produces around 50 pipes per year, which are sold primarily by Italian and Turkish specialty retailers – and, of course, by us.
