Peterson Amber Stem / Maker's Series worth it? Or Alternatives?

[Milleniumsmoker]

Hello!
I am considering getting a Peterson Amber stem, possibly one of the limited edition maker's series pipes. I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with either. Is it worth the price point?

Would I be better off getting a Castello or some other type of pipe like this that is renowned for craftsmanship? I don't often have extra cash, but I have a little to invest in a really good pipe, so I am wondering what direction to go in.

Anyone have any other "artisan recommendations" other than Castello? I know Moretti smokes really well, but I'm not sure it's considered "artisan" or top quality or not. I also can't seem to find any on smoking pipes. com. Just looking for a pipe maker that has consistent quality. Thanks!

 

[OzPiper]

Sounds like you're looking for a "trophy piece"

I have a few pipes with Amber stems. They are not the most comfortable stems to clench - I use rubber bits on them. Amber is also notoriously fragile. I personally do not like the Peterson amber-stemmed pipes. The Amber stems look too small and out of proportion to the size of the bowl (just my personal opinion)

As for Castello vs Moretti - I have pipes from both makers. My Morettis smoke every bit as good as my Castellos. The Castellos have a slightly more open draw. You can get 2 or 3 Morettis for the price of a Castello.

If you're looking for that "special" pipe, why not consider commissioning one. Lots of recommendations from the members on artisan makers. Just search through previous threads for ideas. Also have a look at meerschaums pipes while you are at it.

Have fun choosing. And take care that PAD doesn't bite you ?

 

[cosmicfolklore]

My biggest problem with them is that they just look...

 

[bullet08]

Size doesn't matter! But does look odd.

 

[bullet08]

I lover Peterson pipes, but really.. The Amber stems look odd.

 

[paulfg]

I agree with @OzPiper comment
In all the pipes shown by @cosmic the stems look too short to my eye

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

My biggest problem with them is that they just look...
View attachment 109514


View attachment 109515

Like a penis?

 

[craig61a]

Peterson Amber stems will run you in the $300 - $400 depending on whether you select sandblast or smooth. At least that was the going rate when they were being offered by vendors. I think that ship has sailed; I don't know whether or not they have any of the amber from 1939 that they found in the factory left to make anymore.

But they had to have gotten up to speed on working amber, and if they are able to source new amber they might make more. I wouldn't think that they let that skillset languish. But that's pure speculation on my part.

Yes some had ridiculously small, short stems on them. Others had some nice sized pieces of amber. The former being in the majority from what I have seen.

They are cooling looking, and I have several. But amber is very fragile, and will chip or crack easily. That's why it went out of favor around 1905 for general use. Redmanol or Bakelite stems, also known as Amberite replaced them, and were more durable.

 

[STP]

You can’t go wrong with Castello if you want a high end pipe.

 

[smudgersmissingleg]

Hey! Stop mocking my short stemmed amber Peterson you monsters?.
I like it, anyway?.

 

[smudgersmissingleg]

"The stems look pretty big to me."
- man with micropenis

 

[craig61a]

All this amber stem talk…, I set out this unsmoked 87 for later.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I think that amber is a beautiful stone, and the stems…. by themself are beautiful. I’m just not sure that I would enjoy an orlific bit. And, the proportion…. I’d say that if they were bigger…. but, I’m not sure that preferring a larger penis :::cough cough::; stem makes me any more tough guy sounding than wanting a small one, ha ha.

But, kuddos to Peterson for trying. I can really tell that they are wanting to up their game. I just think, that for me, their embracing the spigot and these contrast stains on some awesome blasts suit my tastes better.

I will still gravitate towards the straight style over a bent. And, I am anxious to see what they come out with next.

 

[Milleniumsmoker]

I see! Thanks for the feedback! The stems are smaller than I would have thought. It seems to be most pronounced in the dark sandblasted ones so I may keep that in mind

 

[Milleniumsmoker]

How about the maker's series? Are they really worth the extra price point? I'm not as crazy about the handcrafted leather case, but the pipe itself looks good. I am wondering if I am paying mostly for the leather or if I am really getting a superior pipe or not.

 

[ssjones]

Back in 2017, I bought one of the Natural Amber Spigots are few years ago, when they first re-introduced the amber stems. That series came with two stems - an amber (short) and vulcanite (standard length). At that time, the bowls on the natural pipes all had pits and flaws. I couldn't live with that on a $500 pipe, so I returned it.

Last year, I bought one of the PSB POY Sandblast pipes and found that craftsmanship to be excellent.

You know what they say about pipes with short stems? Same thing as they say about guys with long feet: "long socks".

 

[captpat]

I like the amber color, but not the material. Uncomfortable and fragile do not make for a good stem IMO. I can easily see one becoming a humidor queen, an amber-colored acrylic stem OTOH ...

 

[Milleniumsmoker]

Back in 2017, I bought one of the Natural Amber Spigots are few years ago, when they first re-introduced the amber stems. That series came with two stems - an amber (short) and vulcanite (standard length). At that time, the bowls on the natural pipes all had pits and flaws. I couldn't live with that on a $500 pipe, so I returned it.

Last year, I bought one of the PSB POY Sandblast pipes and found that craftsmanship to be excellent.

You know what they say about pipes with short stems? Same thing as they say about guys with long feet: "long socks".

View attachment 109612
View attachment 109613

that's a really nice pipe, i was going to get a similar one on smoking pipes but it sold out unfortunately. nice find!

 

[paulfg]

Back in 2017, I bought one of the Natural Amber Spigots are few years ago, when they first re-introduced the amber stems. That series came with two stems - an amber (short) and vulcanite (standard length). At that time, the bowls on the natural pipes all had pits and flaws. I couldn't live with that on a $500 pipe, so I returned it.

Last year, I bought one of the PSB POY Sandblast pipes and found that craftsmanship to be excellent.

You know what they say about pipes with short stems? Same thing as they say about guys with long feet: "long socks".

View attachment 109612
View attachment 109613

I actually bought one of the 999 naturals from the UK,unfortunately it never arrived.
The tracking showed it leaving Heathrow Airport in the UK.the next step should have been arriving in Germany for onward shipment with GLS couriers.
alas it never got there according to the tracking.
Full refund given by the seller as it was the only one of that shape they had and i wasnt interested in any other shape

 

[condorlover1]

Amber is amber. I have a lot of amber stemmed meerschaums. When they break they get replaced with a more durable stem. That being said they material is certainly not a material I would ever clench.