A new Peterson—was I expecting too much?

[jah76]

I gotta agree with Cortez. Every time I smoked it, I'd notice it. Whatever you do, don't smoke it until you talk to the vendor.
I dunno man, 100 bones is steep for me. I'd want 100 bucks worth of pipe.
Hope it works out for you.
And now I'm thinking about a certain letdown I experienced in high school that may or may not have involved a young lady, once certain "features" were revealed. Sometimes the advertising doesn't match the product.

 

[shawn622]

I just obtained my 1st Peterson and it lived up to my expectations. Its rusticated so I would imagine it was done because of some imperfection in the gaining or surface but to me its perfect. I love the rusticated stuff because they are without a doubt, one of a kind. It has sentimental value because it was a gift from kabong. To me, I would consider it a "one of a kind". My mind just goes there. If you can't do anything about it, find a reason to consider it perfectly imperfect. It's yours. Own it!!!! If it smokes good, enjoy it. I would be proud to own that pipe. It's a beautiful, hand crafted work of functioning art. I've been beaten down by life too much to not be positive. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[cigrmaster]

I had no idea Petersons had so many quality control issues. It sounds like everyone has a story of how their Pete has shoddy workmanship. I have never heard the same thing about Savinelli and they produce some great smoking pipes in the same price range. Why put up with Petersons when there are so many other choices? For around 100 bucks I would be looking at the Winslow Viking series and lower end Winslow Crowns. I have not smoked those series but my experience with Winslow has been great. I was actually thinking of buying one just to see if they smoke as well as my higher grade Winslows.

 

[rcstan]

Guys, it is what it is. Looks like Peterson is going more corporate nowadays and lowering the quality. 100 bucks is fuel for a couple weeks unless you have a vehicle that uses as much as a village electrical generator, or a day's work at a living wage level, modest food for a week etc etc. Or a carton of cigs depending on your location.
I have bought two out of my seven Petes new. They do have fills ( 1 each to be exact ), one is a new production Aran. Remember, these aren't their $300 pipes, they hopefully use better ( cosmetically ) blocks of briar for those.

One of my Systems that I bought used and is probably 30-something years old ( as close as I can get to a birth years pipe ) has FIVE fills. They all smoke awesome and I think the cosmetics just add to their character.

 

[numbersix]

Really interesting feedback.
[taerin] especially interesting to hear your experience - appreciate it. At first I thought mine was a one off, but sounds like it's not uncommon.
[rcstan] you make a good point about the cost - and I have to admit, if I was in a B&M and they had two of these, one perfect for $70 more and one like mine for $70 less, I think I'd pay the $70 less, so for me that says a lot. I will focus on the positives and make the most of it.
[shawn622] that's a good way to look at it!
All of that said, I will probably look at Savinelli for my next pipe (on that note, my recent Savinelli estate pipe arrived today and it is a thing of beauty: straight grain, in perfect condition... will post pics asap)
I am really glad I posted this issue. Learned a lot from everyone here.

 

[bigvan]

I love my Petersons, but it took me a few years to realize that they're not high grades. Not even "medium grades" truth be told. They're factory made pipes with a rich history but currently of mediocre quality.

 

[flipflopsandshades]

WOW. This is quite disturbing considering I was about to make a new pipe purchase and was looking @ Petes. I am not going to go anywhere near them now.
Sorry you didn't get what you thought you were paying for but I am sure someone here would take it off your hands if you chose to sell.

 

[mluyckx]

Lots of feedback already. I have a Rosslare Royal Irish as well, but in a 999 shape. It has a little scuff on the top at the silver band and that's why it was a little cheaper than most in the same series. But there are no "seconds" in the Royal Irish line. Not in the Royal Irish classic nor the Rosslare. I do like my Petes, but I do have to agree that the quality of their craftsmanship has been declining. My old Petes are a lot more well made in every fine detail than my more recent ones. Except for a flame grain I have, they all have some flaws in one way or another.
That being said, if it bugs you, send it back or call Peterson or the store you got it from. If it is the store I'm thinking it is, they should be willing to work with you. Peterson usually is very good as well to work with you, but as mentioned above, they are on annual holiday. You will always have this nagging feeling of "It's just not perfect" while you were expecting this perfect pipe especially when it comes in this gorgeous finish and at the cost you paid for it.
Good luck

 

[garyovich]

For what it's worth, I recently ordered a new Racing Green 999, it has several (4or5) fills. The black fills really stand out against the green finish. However it is a fantastic smoker with some really nice cross grain and birds-eye. Is it a perfect $130 pipe...nope. Is it a good smoker that is rapidly becoming one of my favorites...yup.

 

[kabong30]

That's a sweet pipe BTW, Mick. @Shawn, your Pete is pretty old dude, the Emerald line was discontinued a while back and I think the quality was still there. Six, I'd contact Peterson, that's an obvious defect and they should make it right and I would imagine they will. I don't know what Peterson does with their "seconds" (they used to sell them as Shamrocks, right?) but they certainly don't put silver mounts on them. It slipped through QC.
I don't dislike new Pete's, but I do think that you have to be a touch wary. I have 4 estates and 2 (soon to be 3) new Petes. It's tough here because not many people carry Petes and so putting hands on in the B&M is tough (especially if you want a specific pipe), but I've placed another order with Bonds of Oxford for a red 303 and after sorting out the concerns of my ebony one I'm confident that it'll be fine as well.

 

[shawn622]

@ Kabong.... Old or new, this thing rrrrrrrrocks!!!

 

[colcolt]

After reading through this makes me feel I really lucked out with my recently acquired 307. I have absolutely no complaints about it and it smokes wonderfully. If there are defects I sure haven't noticed any.

 

[weezell]

A beutiful pipe for $100!Personally,I'd just keep it and smoke the hell out of it!

 

[numbersix]

@colcolt that is a beaut - really nice.
And thanks @weezell - I am inclined to agree, a $100 was a good price and she is still a beautiful pipe with no other defects ( tho I still plan to see what Peterson has to say about it)

 

[gwtwdbss]

I have 5 Petes and no issues with any of them.

 

[PeriqueMyInterest]

In my experience, Angela at Peterson is a very good person to deal with. Peterson does make high grade and mid range pipes. The Rosslare Royal Irish Natural is one of their mid range pipes but I don't think the Rosslare Royal Walnut is. I remember you posting the name of the retailer when you bought the pipe and I wonder if they didn't get it cheaper from the distributor and sold it online without caring about letting their costumer know. The thing about buying from a trusted B&M in person is you won't get pipes with defects like that. I've never had a problem with Peterson though I've only bought two new. Every single Peterson I've handled in stores, and I've handled a lot, have been in great condition with no flaws in workmanship. And for those that don't want fills on their pipes I suggest either paying a premium price for a pipe regardless of the maker, Petersons have fills unless they are high grades.

 

[weezell]

I think I would just ask Peterson for a little strokin(discount,goodies,etc,& call it a day)I've got 2,both estates,but are very nice.If it was a Dunhill,I'd be pissed,but $100,enjoy..PS:I'll buy it & close one eye if ya want to get rid of it! :rofl:

 

[drewknick]

Maybe you're just not holding it level.

 

[yaboofive]

I have noticed that petes have been hit or miss lately, that being said I do have an emerald 87 smokes amazing. I bought the pipe online and when I received it I was so mad that the draft hole was drilled off center, but being fairly inexpensive i just took it as a wash and threw it in my tackle box and forgot about it for a few years. I recently found it again and decided that it will be my car and work pipe not worrying if anything happens to it... low and behold it smoked great. With my long commute and long work days it has definitely become a work horse pipe and i have no complaints... funny how things work out.

 

[mrenglish]

Peterson blasts or rustications are the way to go for low and mid range pipes.