Disappointing QC

[ADKPiper]

I have a number of Peterson pipes and all are fantastic.
However the new one that I bought had some issues.
The stem was impossible to get out unless fresh from the freezer.
When I got it out the surface of the part of the stem that goes into the pipe (tenon?) was very rough.
Not smooth and round but had semi flat areas with ridges could be seen to be rough with the naked eye.
I used graphite which helped but I resorted to a light sanding with very fine sand paper to even it out and the problem is solved.
But I have to say that the quality is disappointing for a brand that I have never seen any issues with.
In the end it's all about percentages at best and every product has the occasional dud.
But I treat Peterson as a semi premium brand and generally expect better.
It's all good now and I'm betting it will be a great pipe like all the rest.

 

[paulfg]

I have a number of Peterson pipes and all are fantastic.
However the new one that I bought had some issues.
The stem was impossible to get out unless fresh from the freezer.
When I got it out the surface of the part of the stem that goes into the pipe (tenon?) was very rough.
Not smooth and round but had semi flat areas with ridges could be seen to be rough with the naked eye.
I used graphite which helped but I resorted to a light sanding with very fine sand paper to even it out and the problem is solved.
But I have to say that the quality is disappointing for a brand that I have never seen any issues with.
In the end it's all about percentages at best and every product has the occasional dud.
But I treat Peterson as a semi premium brand and generally expect better.
It's all good now and I'm betting it will be a great pipe like all the rest.

Peterson churn out pipes by the dozen.I agree it probably should have been caught before leaving the factory but some slip through.depending on the price point of the pipe the amount of time spent will vary I guess.

Anyway you have fixed it now so enjoy breaking it in.It will likely be a good smoker

 

[cosmicfolklore]

But I have to say that the quality is disappointing for a brand that I have never seen any issues with.

You've never seen or heard anyone say anything about Peterson's QC? You're kidding me.

At this point, I think most people just accept the flaws. It's almost weird if a week goes by without someone posting something about Paterson's QC. It also could be an older one, before Laudsi started whipping their QC into shape.

 

[ashdigger]

I own a bunch of old and new Peterson’s and I’ve never had a problem.

I’ll just keep on being lucky I guess.

But speaking of QC, here’s an artisan pipe from a carver that makes one at a time.

 

[Davy]

I own a bunch of old and new Peterson’s and I’ve never had a problem.

I’ll just keep on being lucky I guess.

But speaking of QC, here’s an artisan pipe from a carver that makes one at a time.

View attachment 198929

Bloody awesome.

 

[didimauw]

I own a bunch of old and new Peterson’s and I’ve never had a problem.

I’ll just keep on being lucky I guess.

But speaking of QC, here’s an artisan pipe from a carver that makes one at a time.

View attachment 198929

Reminds me of my first commission. What a disappointment.

 

[ADKPiper]

You've never seen or heard anyone say anything about Peterson's QC? You're kidding me.

At this point, I think most people just accept the flaws. It's almost weird if a week goes by without someone posting something about Paterson's QC. It also could be an older one, before Laudsi started whipping their QC into shape.

I guess I've been lucky.
I'm betting that Peterson is one of the highest selling, if not THE highest selling of the name brands.
Seems like that generally leads to letting QC slip.
Just look at Harley Davidson for a similar situation.
Most are great but occasionally people pay premium for a headache.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I own a bunch of old and new Peterson’s and I’ve never had a problem.

I’ll just keep on being lucky I guess.

But speaking of QC, here’s an artisan pipe from a carver that makes one at a time.

View attachment 198929

Ha, he must have been in a hurry and let finish the button slip through the cracks, A few years ago, I mailed out three set of earrings that I forgot to put backs on, ha ha. SOOOooo embarrassing.

 

[didimauw]

You've never seen or heard anyone say anything about Peterson's QC? You're kidding me.

At this point, I think most people just accept the flaws. It's almost weird if a week goes by without someone posting something about Paterson's QC. It also could be an older one, before Laudsi started whipping their QC into shape.

I KNEW before clicking this thread, what brand it would be about....wierd

 

[fireground_piper]

@ADKPiper got any pics? Always good to see.

@ashdigger that shouldn’t even exist. I mean even if it was cockeyed, it wasn’t even cleaned out.

 

[ADKPiper]

@ADKPiper got any pics? Always good to see.

@ashdigger that shouldn’t even exist. I mean even if it was cockeyed, it wasn’t even cleaned out.

I didn't take any before fixing it.
It was a brand new pipe.

 

[UB 40]

I own a bunch of old and new Peterson’s and I’ve never had a problem.

I’ll just keep on being lucky I guess.

But speaking of QC, here’s an artisan pipe from a carver that makes one at a time.

View attachment 198929

It reminds me of the second button slit I made right at the beginning of stem manufacturing. It was the attempt of opening up the slit with the handheld piece moving into and across a 1,5 millimetre drill.

 

[bullet08]

Customer opinions are strange things. I used to work with a leading personal computer manufacturer in 90s. Since I was in customer support, only thing I heard was defect issues and the customers being dumb asses. Compare to total number of PC being sold against number of defects were very low. But most of the people in customer support had same opinion of never buying what we sold. I'm sure customers who experience the problems had same opinion. And with pipes, I expect same results. Once you experience a problem, you expectation will slide a little. Defects and slip through QC compare to well made pipes are far and in between. But once you experience bad side of a brand, it leaves bad taste in your mouth. Use to have saying "it's easier to lose a customer than to gain one. Keep them happy."

 

[OzPiper]

I own a bunch of old and new Peterson’s and I’ve never had a problem.

I’ll just keep on being lucky I guess.

But speaking of QC, here’s an artisan pipe from a carver that makes one at a time.

View attachment 198929

He must have had a loooong lunch at a pub before getting back to his work station

 

[alaskanpiper]

I own a bunch of old and new Peterson’s and I’ve never had a problem.

I’ll just keep on being lucky I guess.

But speaking of QC, here’s an artisan pipe from a carver that makes one at a time.

View attachment 198929

Only true artisans shape the slot with a reciprocating saw!

 

[Swiss Army Knife]

But speaking of QC, here’s an artisan pipe from a carver that makes one at a time.

Hot damn, that must have been one beautiful stem to stick with that rather than just turning a new one.

 

[georged]

I have firsthand knowledge that Peterson---both their top guy in Ireland, and the company's owner here in the US---are taking direct action to solve the shop issues they inherited when the company was bought from Tom Palmer several years ago.

Since then they moved to a much larger space than the Sallynoggin shop, for example, to be able to update machinery and production line procedures. They've also asked for and received suggestions from outside specialists.

They are defininitely not asleep at the switch or complacent, in other words.

The nature of the changes desired makes an overnight re-vamp impossible for many reasons, though. Some of them not even technical but labor related, for example, and complicated to sort out because of Ireland's legal requirements regarding the "human factor" side of employment and manufacturing.

Finally, as has already been mentioned, the company purchase included existing inventory. Until it is exhausted, the new owners must deal with any deficient product as if THEY made it. When dealing with six-figure annual output numbers and many dozens of lines and finishes, that's neither simple nor easy.

So. Hang in there, Pete Lovers. Their best stuff has alway been wonderful---I own about thirty pieces, all well-loved and heavily smoked---and it's only a matter of time before all their output is at the same high level.

 

[romaso]

I've been happy with Peterson. I like the beefy shapes and think they're good value, and their briar is good tasting and fine for Virginias (I think they source from Spain, and Corsica for high-ends). I've had Italian made pipes that are bitter from the get-go.

If you don't like the quality/workmanship of a new pipe, don't smoke it, and just return or exchange it. Most retailers will do this.

 

[OzPiper]

I have firsthand knowledge that Peterson---both their top guy in Ireland, and the company's owner here in the US---are taking direct action to solve the shop issues they inherited when the company was bought from Tom Palmer several years ago.

Since then they moved to a much larger space than the Sallynoggin shop, for example, to be able to update machinery and production line procedures. They've also asked for and received suggestions from outside specialists.

They are defininitely not asleep at the switch or complacent, in other words.

The nature of the changes desired makes an overnight re-vamp impossible for many reasons, though. Some of them not even technical but labor related, for example, and complicated to sort out because of Ireland's legal requirements regarding the "human factor" side of employment and manufacturing.

Finally, as has already been mentioned, the company purchase included existing inventory. Until it is exhausted, the new owners must deal with any deficient product as if THEY made it. When dealing with six-figure annual output numbers and many dozens of lines and finishes, that's neither simple nor easy.

So. Hang in there, Pete Lovers. Their best stuff has alway been wonderful---I own about thirty pieces, all well-loved and heavily smoked---and it's only a matter of time before all their output is at the same high level.

I have bought several Petes in the past 2 years
I held off buying Petes previously because of the weight of negative comments on these Forums.

I have been happy with all of them except for one.
The vulcanite stem oxidised within a few months even when stored in a cupboard all the time.
Moreover it developed a few micro pits when I used toothpaste (nothing more abrasive) to remove the oxidation.

I put it down to that stem being made of poor quality leftover vulcanite stock from the previous regime.
It is purely cosmetic and does not affect its smoking quality.

And it did not stop me buying more Petes after that.

 

[kcghost]

I don't own any Peterson's myself, but I will be amazed if this problem isn't fix before long.