Need a Peterson Recommendation

[BarrelProof]

I think I’m gonna break down and buy my first system pipe. I’ve always kinda been on the fence about them, but I think I’m about to remove any doubts, buy one, and just figure out if I like it or not.

I’m not super worried about the shape being something that catches my eye right now, more about playing with a system pipe for a few months to formulate my own opinion. I’m wanting to dedicate English/Balkans to it while I mess with it, so I was hoping to poll you Peterson snobs for some recommendations. I know what shapes and bowl dimensions should be good for these, but I’m looking for empirical data if you’d be willing to share. Any of you folks who have plenty of system pipes and have landed on a certain shape as the best one for either of these blend types, I’m looking at you.

If you have a certain system pipe that is your absolute go-to for a different type of blend, please share that, as well. I’m not beholden to English/Balkans, I just figure that’s where my next flavor of the week/month will be. If you can’t stand the idea of a VaPer in anything but one of your system pipes, or if you wouldn’t be caught dead smoking an aro in anything but one, please share the shape and, if you’re so inclined, you’re reasoning.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Servant King]

Haven't even tried one myself as yet, but with my birthday fast approaching, I'm going to keep an eye on this thread.

 

[AroEnglish]

317 (tiny), 314 (small), or 312 (medium).

 

[ashdigger]

A 301 is a pot shape. Since you want Balkans and such.

 

[reloader]

I love the Peterson Spigot System pipes. I have both the 302 a large bowl and the 303 which is a smaller bowl. I'd recommend either of those.

 

[Scottmi]

I recently did the same, decided I need to find out what the Peterson Experience™ was all about. So I went: System, Spigot, P-Lip, Rusticated, and decided to make it big: XL315. I love it!
Now going the other way and ordered last week a System 317 (the smallest system).

 

[BarrelProof]

I recently did the same, decided I need to find out what the Peterson Experience™ was all about. So I went: System, Spigot, P-Lip, Rusticated, and decided to make it big: XL315. I love it!
Now going the other way and ordered last week a System 317 (the smallest system).

Would you say it shines for any specific type of tobacco?

I guess what I’m trying to accomplish is to try it at its finest. If there’s a certain shape that’s someone’s absolute favorite for a certain blend, and then there are several folks who echo that sentiment, I’ll give it a go knowing that is, at least in a handful of cases, the pipe for a certain blend.

 

[Scottmi]

Would you say it shines for any specific type of tobacco?

I guess what I’m trying to accomplish is to try it at its finest. If there’s a certain shape that’s someone’s absolute favorite for a certain blend, and then there are several folks who echo that sentiment, I’ll give it a go knowing that is, at least in a handful of cases, the pipe for a certain blend.

English, VaPers, VaBurs, Burleys, Balkans, Flakes of every sort, any kind of ribbon cut, broken flake, readyrubbed, cubed.... Probably good with aros too. Definitely reduces bite, cools smoke more. I'd say eliminates bite, but you can hurt yourself still if you really try.

 

[MikeDub]

The 301 is probably as close to a consensus English pipe as you’ll get in the readily available shapes. If you can find one, a 2022 POTY/Mark Twain/14B would be my pick to see what the System is all about. In particular it’s the way the stem hangs vertically over the reservoir that makes that shape great. Have yet to find a blend that doesn’t shine in the 14B

 

[Scottmi]

Not a system, but a hell of a blast...

Peterson Supreme Billiard with Case - L.J. Peretti

Peterson's Supreme line represents the absolute pinnacle of their craftsmanship; only one out of 2000 stummels has the grain and texture to support this exclusive marque. The Supreme sandblast showcases the grain with a texture that captures the ridges of ring grain on a macro scale with the...

ljperetti.com

 

[bullet08]

I also suggest 301. Pot shape with good diameter compared to depth. A good fit for English/Balkan. And it has Peterson tubular shape with a stout shank.

 

[BarrelProof]

It pays to pay attention. Since I’m getting back into it, I decided to pull out as many pipes as I could find and give them all a deep clean and bourbon soak.

Turns out I already own a system pipe - a 307. I found it tonight and will be smoking it tomorrow (and then I’ll smoke the 317 that I bought last night at some point after it gets here next week).

Y’all think I’m kidding when I talk about a bad memory and finding little surprises all over the house. I also found 2 tins of Cringle Flake 2020 and 4 tins of ABF. It’s fun being me sometimes.

 

[coming to_falling too]

It pays to pay attention. Since I’m getting back into it, I decided to pull out as many pipes as I could find and give them all a deep clean and bourbon soak.

Turns out I already own a system pipe - a 307. I found it tonight and will be smoking it tomorrow (and then I’ll smoke the 317 that I bought last night at some point after it gets here next week).

Y’all think I’m kidding when I talk about a bad memory and finding little surprises all over the house. I also found 2 tins of Cringle Flake 2020 and 4 tins of ABF. It’s fun being me sometimes.

I have a spigot 307 that I like quite a bit. Depending how old yours is, I would recommend taking the bowl coating out. A few years ago Peterson used a slick, shiny looking coating that was just awful. The one they switched to now isn't too bad, but I still prefer bare briar.

Hope you enjoy your newfound pipe!

 

[bullet08]

I don't keep track of tobacco. It's Christmas everytime I find something I didn't know I had. 307 is a good size pipe.

 

[BarrelProof]

I have a spigot 307 that I like quite a bit. Depending how old yours is, I would recommend taking the bowl coating out. A few years ago Peterson used a slick, shiny looking coating that was just awful. The one they switched to now isn't too bad, but I still prefer bare briar.

Hope you enjoy your newfound pipe!

I’ve got no clue how to tell how old it is. I don’t even remember buying it. It’s clearly used, though. I probably got it on here.

I’ll take some photos once the bourbon has dried up. I have a fairly extensive bourbon collection and don’t drink anymore, so from now on my pipes are getting baths in high end bourbon. Win/win.

 

[K.E. Powell]

I prefer Peterson's larger shapes, especially for system pipes. In my experience, the larger pipes tend to have more room for the reservoir, and I have an easier time cleaning it and the draft hole because there is usually a little bit more space between the two. But then, I usually prefer medium-to-large pipes generally, so YMMV. But it appears you had a system this whole time, so hopefully it treats you well. I find system pipes are good for blends that tend to leave a lot of moisture and/or smoke hotter than normal. But broadly speaking, Peterson's non-system pipes smoke just as well. Just be sure to swab out the reservoir after each smoke and to be careful how you tilt your pipe as you are smoking it; you don't want to accidentally spill what is in the reservoir into the chamber. It will taste something foul if you do.

I'm not a big English/Balkan fan, so I can't advise on that. I also think people overestimate how a pipe's outer shape impacts the flavor of the tobacco. Outside of some more avant-garde designs, every pipe regardless of its shape is going to be fairly similar to one another in terms of how its chamber is designed; the differences will be found in its dimensions rather than the overall shape itself. Again, there are several exceptions, but I think people are best served finding a shape they find aesthetically pleasing and is designed with sturdy proportions in mind. Just my two cents.

 

[BarrelProof]

I prefer Peterson's larger shapes, especially for system pipes. In my experience, the larger pipes tend to have more room for the reservoir, and I have an easier time cleaning it and the draft hole because there is usually a little bit more space between the two. But then, I usually prefer medium-to-large pipes generally, so YMMV. But it appears you had a system this whole time, so hopefully it treats you well. I find system pipes are good for blends that tend to leave a lot of moisture and/or smoke hotter than normal. But broadly speaking, Peterson's non-system pipes smoke just as well. Just be sure to swab out the reservoir after each smoke and to be careful how you tilt your pipe as you are smoking it; you don't want to accidentally spill what is in the reservoir into the chamber. It will taste something foul if you do.

I'm not a big English/Balkan fan, so I can't advise on that. I also think people overestimate how a pipe's outer shape impacts the flavor of the tobacco. Outside of some more avant-garde designs, every pipe regardless of its shape is going to be fairly similar to one another in terms of how its chamber is designed; the differences will be found in its dimensions rather than the overall shape itself. Again, there are several exceptions, but I think people are best served finding a shape they find aesthetically pleasing and is designed with sturdy proportions in mind. Just my two cents.

I agree with you - I just felt like I’d see more responses based on shape as each of the shapes have their own inherent chamber dimensions. I know what should make for a decent smoke on these blends based on chamber specs, but figured most would attribute the experience to the shape, colloquially.

 

[Indygrap]

317 (tiny), 314 (small), or 312 (medium).

I picked up a 314 a while back. Great little smoker once you get used to the P-lip. I’ve been using it primarily for aros & it catches a lot of moisture.

 

[mso489]

I love my Petes but have no systems pipes. Is it inauthentic to get a systems pipe without a p-lip? Are they all made with p-lips? I have one p-lip, not a systems pipe, and I like it as a change of pace, but wouldn't buy another. I just prefer a fishtail bit.

 

[BarrelProof]

I’m certainly no expert, but in my research I found out that the system was patented first and the p-lip completed the ensemble later on. I’m guessing, therefore, that there’s a brief period in the company’s history that included system pipes without p-lips? Perhaps it’s an option now, too.?

A great question - I’d love to hear more from someone who knows more!