Need Help Choosing a Pipe
- Thread starter ben88
- Start date
SmokingPipes.com Updates
Watch for Updates Twice a Week
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
Site Sponsors
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
- Status
I'm assuming you found an estate Castello at Peterson price. Although some Petersons can reach Castello prices (I saw a Peterson nearing 1000 dollars the other day 8O ) They are more known for their lower to mid cost pipes from 100 to 300 dollars. I love my Petersons of all price ranges, but have never smoked a Castello, however. Yet, I have never heard a bad thing said about a Castello.
Castellos average higher prices. They are generally revered. Petersons are well liked but in recent years have had mixed reviews because of quality control issues. I have six or eight Petersons and like mine well, but I don't dismiss others' complaints about theirs. Many Castellos sold in the U.S. strike me as somewhat heavy for their chamber capacity, but they are beautiful pipes -- I don't have one. Everything else being equal, including your enthusiasm for both pipes, think seriously about the Castello.
The Peterson 999 is a gorgeous shape. Depending on the model it won't cost an arm and leg either.
That really is what matters most. If it's briar quality or even production quality you're concerned about, the Castello (from what I understand) should be great. But also, those Peterson Silver Caps are among Peterson's higher grades not only because of the silver but because of the briar. Should be a winner.
As others have said, generally the Castello should be higher quality. That being said I have sent back a high grade Castello due to poor drilling.
I love my Petersons but hands down I would pick the Castello if it was a shape that I liked. The one Castello that I own is the best smoker I have. You can get a new Pete anytime.
Good lord. A whole flock of birds.
You're right Leon, that is The Peterson.
@bosmer
:
You're right Leon, that is The Peterson.
@bosmer
I've got a buck/twenty, I'll pm you my address. :
:
I came back to pipes about 10 years back in a serious way, started buying more and better pipes and perfecting my technique... the one "game changer" pipe for me was a Peterson. I bought a bunch more Petes, and they all pretty much sucked. A high-grade Pete should be a real good pipe, but they are not especially fussy about the mechanics in their pipes - drilling is high in the mortise and could be absolutely anywhere in the bowl.
So I'd take the Pete if it really calls to you and if you can return it to the vendor if it looks wonky. It's probably a great pipe.
Castellos in my experience are excellent smokers and much less prone as a brand to the kind of inconsistency that Peterson is .. well a little know for now, hmm?
Briar quality will be fine in both pipes, that to me wouldn't be a factor. The other big factor is that a Castello will have an acrylic stem unless it's a very early pipe indeed, and I'd expect that pete to be ebonite (although they have gone to acrylic on a lot/all their pipes recently too, so I'm not so sure about that).
So I'd take the Pete if it really calls to you and if you can return it to the vendor if it looks wonky. It's probably a great pipe.
Castellos in my experience are excellent smokers and much less prone as a brand to the kind of inconsistency that Peterson is .. well a little know for now, hmm?
Briar quality will be fine in both pipes, that to me wouldn't be a factor. The other big factor is that a Castello will have an acrylic stem unless it's a very early pipe indeed, and I'd expect that pete to be ebonite (although they have gone to acrylic on a lot/all their pipes recently too, so I'm not so sure about that).
ben88 - both brands can be excellent choices, but you're comparing ( or trying to ) apple and oranges. Grain not withstanding, no two Castello's are the same. Each one is slightly different, even looking at groups of the same shape. Looking at a group of Peterson's, they are all the same. Very little variation in the bowl "feel". IMHO each Castello is a jewel on it's own.
Before you select a Peterson, ask the vendor to check for fills. Even in the higher smooth grades. I have a gorgeous Sherlock Holmes on my site, and was surprised to find a 1/4" putty fill on the side. You will not find a fill in a Castello.
IMHO one of the best "bang's for your buck" on the estate market are higher end smooth Castello's. Most are selling for around 30% of the current SRP. For in the around $300.00 mark, and less you can find upper end Collection, Occhio Di Pernice's, and on occasion even a Fiammata. These are spectacular and one of a kind. Some might consider a Fiammata a collection center piece.
You may also find some new smooth Castello's on E-Bay, offered by sellers in Italy that are priced only a small percentage above the current US SRP.
All the above is of course only my opinion and I am in no way swayed by the fact I collect Castello's.
Regards
Michael J. Glukler
Before you select a Peterson, ask the vendor to check for fills. Even in the higher smooth grades. I have a gorgeous Sherlock Holmes on my site, and was surprised to find a 1/4" putty fill on the side. You will not find a fill in a Castello.
IMHO one of the best "bang's for your buck" on the estate market are higher end smooth Castello's. Most are selling for around 30% of the current SRP. For in the around $300.00 mark, and less you can find upper end Collection, Occhio Di Pernice's, and on occasion even a Fiammata. These are spectacular and one of a kind. Some might consider a Fiammata a collection center piece.
You may also find some new smooth Castello's on E-Bay, offered by sellers in Italy that are priced only a small percentage above the current US SRP.
All the above is of course only my opinion and I am in no way swayed by the fact I collect Castello's.
Regards
Michael J. Glukler
- Status