Peterson Aran XL02

[bentmike]

This is my first Peterson and the one that I think turned me into a Pete Nut! I had been peacefully living out my life content to smoke my homemade pipe until the internet came along. Things have changed. I remember going with my dad when I was a boy to a B&M where he bought a Peterson System. I guess I have to give him some credit for putting me on the right path to a good pipe. The XL02 was the first pipe I ever purchased from an online vendor Cup o' Joes I think it was. It's been a couple years and I have had great service ever since.

The Aran line may be considered low end Pete's but I think my example is classy piece of work. While it doesn't enhance the already great smoking characteristics the amazing birdseye on the bowl makes a nice pipe even better.

I know Aran's are popular. It's the name I read on this forum at least as often as the Systems when it comes to Peterson. Because of the big size of this full bent with the classic shape and Peterson thick shank I dedicated my XL02 to English blends and it works great with the tobacco to provide a long, cool smoke.

 

[spyder71]

Very nice! I just bought an Aran bent bulldog. I think the lower end petes are a great value, my Shannon was cheap and it is one of my best smokers

 

[weezell]

Got the same pipe but fish tail.Love it,great smokin pipe :D

 

[tslex]

Have a couple from the Aran line myself. Fine pipes all. Good on you.

 

[rcstan]

They are awesome looking and smoking. I have 3 Arans, 2 Systems and a Donegal Rocky. Working on adding another to the herd come next month.

 

[ulrich]

The birdseye on that is gorgeous! I'd eventually like to buy a Peterson 303.. but as of right now I don't own any Petes, hoping to change that soon especially after seeing your pics!

 

[kabong30]

Wonderful birdseye, very very nice!

 

[martiniman]

I like the B & W photos, they bring out the true beauty.

 

[bentmike]

Thanks Gents, martiniman you are right. Once I had the pics side by side, the original and the b & w, it was no contest. The black and white really made the birdseye pop. It's some wicked grain to be sure.

 

[peteguy]

Simply Superb!! Welcome to the club.

 

[martiniman]

Someone posted a similar birdseye with the image of a wizard or old bearded man smoking a pipe apparent in the pattern.
DAMN YOU,,, I now cannot look at a birdseye without trying to find a similar image. :twisted:

 

[bentmike]

Lol martiniman -that was my post Yeah I'm really a fan of birdseye in briar. To me they look kind of like fanciful little characters peering out of the wood. I call them briar people -The Aran is full of them.

 

[bigmike]

What a Beauty!! Enjoy..... ::

 

[frtimmyd]

Yeah, bentmike, the ARAN line has to be one of my favorites too. I've got two of them(999 "bulldog" and a 408 "prince"). They are probably my most reached for pipes. I also recently added an 05 Killarney. Come to think of it, the first pipe I ever bought for myself was a 69 Kapet so I guess I've been a Pete Nut going way back.
Actually I can't wait for the Iceburg and Dracula lines to become available in the States. Need myself a nice black semi-formal pipe.

 

[mluyckx]

hey there Father Tim... good to see you !
Mike: You gotta love those Petes ! I have several, a couple of 999's, but none with that spectacular of a birds eye pattern. My Pete Flame Grain is quite stunning, but straight grain, not birdseye. You seem to have all the luck with that pattern ;-) Excellent looking XL02 you got ! :clap:
Some pics of the Flame Grain for those that are into pipe porn

And the Black and White does indeed seem to make grain pop.. I gotta play with that.

 

[jharvard]

The black and white is very sharp! Is it the same pipe just in a black and white photo? Or an entirely different pipe? :puffpipe:

 

[bentmike]

Nice flames Mick. I like Peterson's contrast staining they do a nice job with it and put on a killer piece of briar like yours really makes a good looker. You've posted that pipe before on here right? Looks familiar to me. I discovered the black and white thing by accident noticing that it seems to bring out the detail in the figured wood very well. I want to do some more experimenting with it myself.
@jharvard -Yes the same pipe just converted the image to B&W.

 

[aristokles]

Peterson XL02 pipes...my absolutely favorite pipe. Three years ago I got a yen for one. My B&M had two nice Arans and on my once per week stop I would insanely inspect each trying to decide which to purchase. I say "insanely" because I delayed one week too long and missed both. He sold both to one internet-order customer. Not wanting to get caught shorter yet I immediately bought a remaining Shannon XL-02 (still want an Aran) and it is my "reserve-for-C&D-Cordial-only" pipe now.

 

[bentmike]

Peterson XL02 pipes...my absolutely favorite pipe.

I can certainly see why. The XL02 is big and feels good in the hand with lots of bend for comfortable smoking. I think too that a big chunk of briar naturally smokes cooler than a small one. I missed pipes as well from procrastinating too long but that's some luck to lose both Arans that were at your shop!