Trudy. An 1 1/4 inch hardwood dowel, works just as well as anything, even better if you know how to. You can buy one in Lowe's Or Home Depot for a few dollars. Most of the French Rolling pins are straight, except the very end, which tapers slightly. So inactuality, you are using a Straight Dowel, if you are rolling out a Pizza Dough, because only the center is used. Same with Pie Dough, it is not very large. I use a Straight Hardwood Dowel for Pasta Dough. It can be rolled out to a 24 inch circle, with uniform thickness, in less than 2 minutes. If you would like to say " I use a French Rolling Pin " Do what you prefer. If you want the French Rolling Pin, Google , " Fante's of Phila." They have many choices. Some are very reasonable and you will be able to see the various shapes. LOU

I've used the tapered rolling pins and like them. My Nona used a stick that was about one and a half inches in diameter, and I like those too. Like Annie said, I'll use whatever is available and it's fine. For quite a long time I've had a marble rolling pin and really love it. It does quick work and I don't have any problem with getting an even thickness, no matter what size I'm making. Also it doesn't smush soft doughs like I've heard some people say. The weight does help me work it fast.

I know you like to cook, but honestly I'm tired of it. I don't want a rolling pin, even if it is a Vic Firth. Your husband WANTS you to have a VF rolling pin! So funny! DS will get a kick out of this. He was drumming with one of my knitting needles last night. He just cannot stop. Watch out if your husband gets TWO rolling pins--he may want to try them out as big drumsticks for a new sound! Here is a link that might be useful: rolling pins

mermanmike's collection was my first thought, too. I have a lumberjack sized wooden rolling pin--my mother gave it to me, and I really tried to use it--once--and then gave up. It hangs on the wall near my KA mixer, and I went back to my old stand-by hollow Tupperware rolling pin, which I can fill with ice water. My father recently gave me a smaller wooden pin and I immediately passed that one to my elder DD. I'd love to find an antique springerle pin. Is that, by any chance, what you have, CEF?