I would give two thumbs up on the Savinelli... I have several... I get the soft bits.. which I love.. and makes the stem just fine.. and I don't have the maint problems of my valc stems.... The Sav is a good smoker... I have a rusticated one I bought in Italy back in 81 and a new one I purchased a few months ago from Pipes and Cigars.. also Pipes and Cigars has Free Shipping if you buy a Sav pipe right now. The Pete is a great pipe... but I like the Sav.