Am I being petty?

[kabong30]

I just received a new Peterson System 303 in ebony and it looks really good! BUT. I noticed that the P-lip is not shaped quite the same as my estate Petes (it's looks like it was sanded flat at the end and the underside has a more abrupt "ridge" rather then the sloping transition to the inside edge of the older p-lips. Additionally, it's not stamped "Made in the Republic of Ireland" nor does it say "Standard" on the "Peterson System" stamping. I did some searching on the web and found some inklings that these pipes may not be coming out of the Ireland factory anymore or that they are merely being finished there after manufacture elsewhere. Now, I don't know any of that to be true, and I'm not accusing (I've dropped them an email asking the question directly as to where they are made). And I haven't smoked the thing yet as I picked it up on the way to work this morning. This pipe could be the greatest thing ever, but initially, I find that I'm just a touch disappointed in it.

 

[crpntr1]

Well, maybe its petty, but if you pay for a Pete, you expect a Pete. I assume you didn't buy this out of the trunk of a car on Harry Hines..id be interested in what there answer is as well.

 

[kabong30]

Yeah, it definitely didn't fall off of a truck or anything. I got it on Ebay from Bonds of Oxford in London.

 

[mlaug]

This is always disappointing to hear, because it will bother you every time you loook at the pipe. Even if its a great smoker it won't ever look "right".
I'm no fan of Petes so I don't know anything about them, but is there a chance its a factory second or something?

 

[crpntr1]

I dunno how old your estate is but I've been looking at Pete's a lot lately and I know the plip has changed over the years

 

[spartan]

Eh, you get what you paid for. Buyer beware.
Shoulda got it from sponsor and not off e-bay.

 

[kabong30]

I paid $90 is that somehow not enough? There's nothing to suggest that the vendor was not reputable, but thank you for your dismissive input. Perhaps you might suggest a sponsor that will stamp "Made in the Republic of Ireland" on the pipe for me?

 

[kabong30]

I apologize for my testiness. I should note that looking at the Smokingpipes website their photo of the 303 is exactly the same as what I have purchased although they want about $16 bucks more, but it appears that I should have done a tad more research as this is simply how they are made now. I'll report back should I receive an answer from Peterson.

 

[mrenglish]

I've heard Bonds is pretty reputable. I know Peterson has used different styles of the p-lip over the years but it is odd it is not stamped system. Perhaps it is a pipe made for Bonds by Peterson. I know they are still making pipes in Ireland, they are so busy these days I've heard they were having issues finding enough quality briar to keep up with demand.
Definitely let us know what Peterson says.
Mike

 

[crpntr1]

I recently won an estate Peterson on eBay an am having problems dating it because of the model #, that's a different story tho, this pipe only says Peterson on the left and the model on the right. I wonder if this is a phase they go thru... :puffpipe:

 

[nsfisher]

I believe you are correct herb. I think I read something similiar to that a few weeks ago when I was checking out an entry level Pete.
@kabong30

I hope you have it all sorted out mate. I am confident you will find that to be a decent smoker and last you for many yrs to come.

 

[kabong30]

Thanks for the replies, fellas. The pipe really is quite nice, I think it's growing on me LOL. It just bums me out a little to see a traditional thing that seems to have yielded to modern practices (outsourcing, etc.)

 

[tslex]

I'll tell you that I had not realized Petes were being made outside of Ireland, and it gives me pause.
I have more Petes than anything else in my collection, and have a strong affinity for them for many reasons. That said, their Irish provenance is important to me. If i can't ensure the new pipes are made there, I might have to stick yo buying estates.
(French pipes are fine. I have a Butz Choquin I treasure. But I want my Petes (and my whiskey) to be IRISH.)

 

[kabong30]

Yep, I would imagine than my future Pete purchases will be estates as well.

 

[bentmike]

I have noticed slight differences in my p-lips between say an Aran and my Standard and Premier grades. I'm no Pete expert but I think it's safe to assume there will be a little variation in quality and fit and finish of the lower end Petes just like any of the big producers.

 

[jpberg]

This "where are Petes being made" question has been floating around for a while, at one time not long ago, I thought someone posted an email from Sallynoggin stating that Petes were still Irish made, but the phrasing was vague enough to that some may have been led to believe that parts of the manufacturing process were done elsewhere.
It would be nice to have definitive assurance from Peterson that Irish pipes are still Irish.

 

[gwtwdbss]

I just check my Peterson Irish Made Army #6 and #120. They don't say "Made in the Republic of Ireland" like my Premier #305 does. That would be so sacrilegious if my Irish Made Army's were made anywhere but Ireland. Now I'm kinda wishing I didn't click on this thread. :?

 

[kabong30]

^Sorry, man. Seems like I opened a small can of worms here. I will post as soon as I receive an answer though.

 

[taerin]

I just got a Peterson Standard System a few months ago, it was stamped "Made in Ireland" or something to that effect on one side and said "System Standard 305" on the other side.

 

[bentmike]

Kinda the same situation as with Stanwell. I love Stanwell but since they closed their factory and moved production to Italy it just doesn't seem the same. I guess I should get into estates and go after the oldies like many of you guys do.