I have not yet, but thanks to alot of you guys and your opinions on Peterson's I have not bought any new ones.
Ever Bought a Pipe You Regret?
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I recently made an impulsive purchase of two clay pipes on ebay for less than 10 euro. I know nothing about clays but at least one of them is a piece of junk - the stem is literally crooked. I know there are those who rate clays highly, and I might eventually come to like them, but I smoked a few hot, awkward, bitter-tasting bowls out of the 'good' one, and away into the drawer it went. At the same time they were cheap enough that I'm not too perturbed, and they fill an interesting niche in the collection.
I traded a Charatan for this nearly unsmoked early 1960's Peterson Sterling 999. One of my favorite shapes and with a fishtail stem. It took some detective work to determine the age and history, which I enjoy. But, the stem appeared to be acrylic and I never took to smoking it. I resold it to finance the purchase of my prize Comoys 499, so it ended well. That person also resold the pipe, to a Peterson collector who loves it. The pipe was photographed as the 999 shape for the Peterson book, but it should have been completed a year ago, so who knows.
Every Peterson I've ever owned. I went through a phase where because I liked the classic shapes (which they do nail) I just kept buying them but none, from a pre-republic on down to modern day, remain. I guess I have a bit of a chip on my shoulder about that brand.
I think other than that... maybe a Boswell that ended up being huge and I was expecting, well, not that.
I think other than that... maybe a Boswell that ended up being huge and I was expecting, well, not that.
Early on I bought a Peterson Kapet, which is their entry level line of pipes. I forgot to check the airway and sure enough it didn't pass a cleaner. I sent it back to Peterson and they put a new stem on it and it still wouldn't pass a cleaner. Smoked poorly from the start and now it sits on the back shelf as a reminder. Peterson will never get another dime from me, even for one of their high end pipes.
I forgot to add a Rad Davis Belge I bought as an estate piece. The pipe was really well made, light as a feather and it was as comfortable as you can get, however the walls were thin because of the style of the pipe and I really had to pay attention to keep it smoking cool. I eventually tired of having to smoke like that as all my other pipes do not need that type of concentration so I sold it. Whoever bought it will be getting a great pipe if they are used to smoking Belge's. It was my first and last Belge as I found it is a style that just does not suit me. Here are a couple of pics.
I've had a few that weren't great smokers, so I sold or traded them off. Pipes are funny things. What might smoke absolutely hot and horrible for me, could end up being your best smoker.
Currently selling off my first Peterson. I never really took to it. Very nice looking pipe but it isn't "me." I like classic wood grain (the Pete is glossy black). With the money I get out of that sale I hope to fully fund my recent purchases: a Falcon and a Savinelli Roma 127.
Yeah, I've bought two, no three, 1. A Sav...Flammata, nothing wrong with it. It's a work of Art. An that is the problem, it's too beautiful to smoke. I'd sell it for $80 and some tins of tobacco. Pictures by email. 2. A Peterson Calabash, terrible pipe, smokes wet, will not smoke to the bottom and is so tiny I thought it was a toy when I got it. Never another Peterson. 3. A Turkish meer, another tinnie tiny toy pipe, I gave it away.
Most of my pipes I got off the bay. I was given one pipe by the incompareable " Old Cajun" It's an Edwards big bole and smokes great. A terrific gift. My enduring thanks to Bradley.
Most of my pipes I got off the bay. I was given one pipe by the incompareable " Old Cajun" It's an Edwards big bole and smokes great. A terrific gift. My enduring thanks to Bradley.
Grand prize goes to a Kaywoodie Oom Paul that I picked up at an antique shop for cheap. It gurgles on the charring light. My first runner up is a Venezia (Savinelli off-brand) where the finish has bubbled up, and it's too big for my tastes (it's a KS). No other regrets.
There are always pipes that bring a pang of regret, either for purchasing them or letting them go. My first disappointment was a BC D'Accord, smoked hot and wet from day 1. I only use it when it is below freezing outside. I dont even have a picture of it to post.
This Jobey was one I found new in a pipe shop, and I thought it beautiful, and hated smoking it.
I have a Barling Guinea Grain that I paid $80.00 for, the grain is lovely but it is a transition piece, and is not a very good smoking pipe.
Lastly, my first eBay purchase, an Edwards freehand, that was so ugly it broke my camera.
This Jobey was one I found new in a pipe shop, and I thought it beautiful, and hated smoking it.
I have a Barling Guinea Grain that I paid $80.00 for, the grain is lovely but it is a transition piece, and is not a very good smoking pipe.
Lastly, my first eBay purchase, an Edwards freehand, that was so ugly it broke my camera.
Yep. A fairly nasty and cheap Lorenzo meer lined bent billiard. Once I got it home, I found I didn't really get on with the stem - I assume it's acrylic - just isn't the same as the one on my Pete (vulcanite, apparently). On top of that, I found I didn't really like the smooth finish, I always went for a rusticated pipe first.
Still got it, smoked a couple of times and left in a box. The shame is, it smokes lovely and dry!
Still got it, smoked a couple of times and left in a box. The shame is, it smokes lovely and dry!
A few redemptive stories: My Peterson Kapet author took a long time to break in, always smoked like a new pipe, but it finally
got in the groove, and now it's great, nice wide bowl for complex blends. I bought a "pretty" Jobey at my local pipe shop, and
despite its rather high and shiny finish, it's a fine little smoker, especially for aros. I have lucked out with Petersons, including
an Around the World/Ireland bulldog, a Killarney P-Lip Rhody, two B11 bent brandies, and a Group 1 Belgique yacht/zulu.
I am wary of Petersons since the quality questions have been raised, but the ones I have are spot-on. I had a beautiful
Chacom Dublin bent stem, a really fine design, but the airway was too narrow and always caught pipe cleaner fluff. I tried
with that pipe, for its looks, but finally traded it off. I have another Chacom straight billiard 185 in a green stain that is the
perfect pipe for English blends, just a prime briar.
got in the groove, and now it's great, nice wide bowl for complex blends. I bought a "pretty" Jobey at my local pipe shop, and
despite its rather high and shiny finish, it's a fine little smoker, especially for aros. I have lucked out with Petersons, including
an Around the World/Ireland bulldog, a Killarney P-Lip Rhody, two B11 bent brandies, and a Group 1 Belgique yacht/zulu.
I am wary of Petersons since the quality questions have been raised, but the ones I have are spot-on. I had a beautiful
Chacom Dublin bent stem, a really fine design, but the airway was too narrow and always caught pipe cleaner fluff. I tried
with that pipe, for its looks, but finally traded it off. I have another Chacom straight billiard 185 in a green stain that is the
perfect pipe for English blends, just a prime briar.
I wish it was satire, but sadly, no. I thought all 4 were Shells, but I just opened up my closet box and took the pic below. In fact, one (bottom left) is a "Shilling" not a Shell. I know zilch about Dunhills, so I don't know what a Shilling is, but I take it it is just a red version of a Shell with a cumberland stem
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