Savinelli St Nicholas 2026 6mm Briar Pipe 106

• Overall Length: 140mm
• Overall Height: 42mm
• Bowl Height: 42mm
• Bowl Diameter: 35mm
• Bore: 18mm
• Filter: 6mm
• Weight: 39g
• Cloth Pipe Bag
• Gift Boxed

Savinelli St Nicholas 2026 6mm Briar Pipe – 106 There is something reassuring about a straight Billiard. Pipe makers have spent generations bending, squashing, stretching and generally interfering with the basic idea, yet the old Billiard remains remarkably difficult to improve upon. For the St Nicholas 2026, Savinelli has wisely left its 106 recognisable and concentrated on giving it a rather splendid Christmas outfit. The 106 is a compact, straight Billiard with a cylindrical bowl and shank, although Savinelli sets the bowl a little lower than is customary for the shape. The result is a stout, purposeful profile that looks particularly good in this year's heavily textured brown rustication. There's a great deal more colour in the finish than simply brown. As the photographs show, the peaks of the rustication carry warm reddish and chestnut tones while the deeper cuts remain considerably darker. It gives the otherwise traditional 106 plenty of character.

Then Savinelli gets to the Christmas bit.

The pearlescent green methacrylate stem moves between deep forest green, emerald and brighter turquoise according to the light. Between stem and briar sits a narrow red methacrylate band enclosed by two fine aluminium rings. Savinelli chose this red, silver and green arrangement specifically for the 2026 St Nicholas series.

At 138mm long and around 43g, the 106 remains a sensibly proportioned everyday pipe. The chamber measures 19mm across and 36mm deep, giving useful capacity while retaining the compact proportions that distinguish this model from Savinelli's larger Billiards.

This edition is drilled for 6mm filters, so it can take Savinelli's 6mm balsa system or compatible activated-charcoal filters. Savinelli I think the straight shape suits the 2026 treatment particularly well. The dark textured briar keeps one foot firmly in traditional pipe making, while that green stem provides just enough seasonal mischief. Rather like wearing a Christmas tie with a good tweed jacket. Festive, yes. Complete loss of dignity, no.