Angelo Fassi – Creative Pipe Maker with Italian Roots
At the 2024 “Pfeiferei” pipe fair in Stuttgart-Vaihingen, we had the chance to meet Angelo Fassi in person. He showcased some of his handcrafted creations – naturally, we made sure to grab a few right away! You can now find them in our shop. Fassi attended the fair with his wife and stood out with his charming personality and relaxed yet elegant style – true to his Italian roots.
How It All Began: Angelo’s First Pipes
Born in 1958 and living in Appiano Gentile, Angelo Fassi was originally a competitive judoka and still works today as an oral surgeon. His journey into the world of pipes began thanks to Bertram Safferling, who introduced him to the art of pipe making. But the passion had sparked even earlier – at 14, when he smoked a Savinelli from his father’s collection. At 16, he even visited the Caminetto workshop – and that’s when the spark really caught fire.
Many years later, after completing his dental studies and gaining professional experience, Angelo began making pipes himself. In 2008, he took part in a specialized course, inherited the tools of a retired craftsman, and connected with Italian greats like Gabriele Dal Fiume and Massimiliano “Il Duca” Rimensi, from whom he received valuable advice.
Connected in the Community
Fassi is an active member of the Academia della Pipa, an Italian academy dedicated to high-quality pipes. His style blends Danish lightness with a touch of Italian baroque flair. He also draws inspiration from pipe makers like Maurizio Tombari (Le Nuvole) and the late Paolo Becker.
He’s always happy to share his knowledge – including with Roberto Franzini of Franz Pipes. The two often appear together at fairs, as they did in Stuttgart in 2024.
Style with Character: Pipes by Angelo Fassi
Angelo’s creations are based on classic shapes that he reinterprets – for example, the wide bowl of a Pot combined with the long shank of a Liverpool. He prefers using briar for the bowls and ebonite for the mouthpieces. For accents, he keeps things natural: silver, fine woods, or horn are his go-to choices.
He especially enjoys working with sandblasted or smooth finishes. Often with Brazilian Bossa Nova playing in the background. He shares his creative process live on Instagram – definitely worth a look! On the side, he’s also a passionate amateur radio operator with the call sign I2FVS.
Fully Committed Starting in 2026
Currently, Angelo Fassi still makes pipes part-time, but he plans to go full-time in 2026 after retiring from dentistry. Around 50 unique pieces are created each year – and you can get them directly from our shop, as well as from select dealers in Italy and Turkey.
