Opinions About a Peterson?

[sparrowhawk]

Gentlemen,

Thank you for your input. You've given me a lot to consider, and I appreciate your honesty. I suspect I will "pull the trigger" on this pipe if I can work up the courage for the $s. It's the silver band that raises the price on this pipe, but smoking ability aside, I've always wanted a Peterson with silver. Again, much thanks for your insights--they are taken seriously, and I'm going to be re-reading these posts before I make my decision.

 

[skapunk1]

It is a beauty, I managed to get mine from a gentleman on this forum through briarbid, it is a silver band with a green spray briar, just gorgeous. It came unsmoked, and expect I would pay well over twice the amount for this pipe anywhere else. Ive yet to see one for sale or auction anywhere. Spending a decent amount of money on a quality pipe in my opinion is worth it in the end to a degree. I do have to say that my second favorite pipes in comparison did not break $50, they are my two Parker panel style pipes. I dont think i'll ever regret pulling the trigger on my Pete though....

 

[cigrmaster]

If you do decide to buy the Pete, call the dealer and ask them to check the pipe over with a fine tooth comb Ask them to make sure the drilling is spot on and that it will take a fluffy pipe cleaner with ease. Also ask them to check the fit and finish making sure the stem and shank are flush. Also ask them to make sure no stain has leaked into the shank and bowl. For 140.00 it should be free of defects. Also ask them to check the gap between the mortise and tenon, if there is a huge gap, you should pass.

 

[sparrowhawk]

Thanks for the additional tips, Harris. I'll be sure to have them check the pipe out carefully.

 

[sjb3]

It's a great looking pipe, go for it. In fact, you owe it to yourself to get that pipe!

 

[bullbriar]

I just order an Irish Harp from Fox this morning. I bought another 80s, my favorite shape. Remember that the prices on Fox's site include the VAT, if its being shipped to the states, it will be deducted during checkout. Their price for my pipe was 99 Euros ( about 136.00) after I checked out, AND added shipping, my final total was only 89.99 Euros, or about $122.00.

I like Peterson pipes, but never look forward to the break-in!

 

[wayneteipen]

I sold off all but two of my Peterson's. One that I kept was an Irish Harp 80s. I kept it BECAUSE of the acrylic "Cumberland". I really like the material. So much so that I purchased some of the rod stock to make stems out of.

 

[sparrowhawk]

The break in is what I don't like about Petersons. It takes an awfully long time to break them in, probably because of the heavy finish.

 

[sparrowhawk]

AFTERMATH: Well, thanks to your advice, I called SP, asked them about fills and had them run it through the pipe cleaner test. The gentleman at SP appeared very honest, and told me he found one minor surface fill and that the pipe cleaner test was "spot on." He commented, looking at my past purchases, that the shape of the pipe was close to identical to my Dracula billiard, which pleased me, because this was why I had wanted another Peterson straight billiard. The tiny fill didn't sound like enough to reject the pipe, so I "pulled the trigger"--I made the purchase and the pipe will arrive sometime next week. Also, since I purchased the pipe Friday, I'll get there Peterson tobacco special as well as the $10 gift card, which I'll use for future tobacco purchases. So I think, with your help, I did pretty good. I'll write back to let you know my evaluation of the pipe, but your advice and tips were invaluable, and greatly appreciated. Will write back as soon as the pipe arrives.

 

[cigrmaster]

sparrow, glad to hear you got a pipe that is to your satisfaction. It really is a good move to make the call before purchasing that way you can avoid any issues and not have to deal with being dissatisfied. I hope it smokes great for you.
Did you make sure the gap between the tenon and mortise was no greater than 1.3487564 mm? :mrgreen:

 

[shutterbugg]

The break in is what I don't like about Petersons. It takes an awfully long time to break them in, probably because of the heavy finish.

Strange, I've read that a lot but last week I got a new standard system 314, and the bowl appeared to have some kind of pre-carbonizing process applied to the inside (ie it's not smooth briar, there's a matte black textured surface kind of like a sprayed-on pre-cake or something). Anyway I just loaded it to the brim with Royal Yacht and smoked it all the way down. It was the best RY has tasted in anything I've smoked it in thus far. So if the pete is going to get better as it is broken-in it's going to be one dandy smoking pipe! In fact I just ordered a couple more (303 smooth and 312 rusticated). With my DIY mods (drilled draft hole to 5/32, deepened the moisture trap another 1/4" (to hold an optional wad of cotton), and funneled the tenon end to reduce turbulence, it's also the coolest, dryest smoke I can recall.

 

[geo3rge]

I like Peterson pipes a lot. I have four of them at present, the latest being a bent Harp, smooth finish and silver banded. It looks and feels great, in the hand and in the mouth, with a good, wide fishtail mouthpiece. The only thing I've noticed is that it gurgles a lot at present (not had it that long, so still breaking it in) and hopefully this will ease off once the cake is formed. I love the system pipes, and the oldest is about twenty years old, a bit gummed up now but still one of my favourite pipes. Each of them has given great smokes.

Peterson represents for me a good, strong image and reputation, though I read elsewhere that quality has been in question with some models. I do not know about that myself, as, with only four in my collection and all mostly similar, I haven't the experience of other types.

All I can say is that my pipes have been reliable, trustworthy friends over the last two decades and I cannot envisage my pipe collection without them. Enjoy your Peterson if you can.

G.