Peterson Pipe of the Year 2025

[HawkeyeLinus]

Had trouble sleeping and happened t wake up just before 4 am when they dropped on SP EU. There was a pretty limited number of pipes but they had what I was looking for - Rua and Terracotta. No barleys and was sorely tempted to grab one and send back one of these others later, but somehow let it

I saw some photos of pipes on another site where the stummels had pits, poor stain, improperly bent stem, and what appeared to be a significant crack…

I’m a fan of the Oom Paul shape, and while this is example is a more sinuous design, I thought it looked pretty good.

I wasn’t totally sold on it at first. But I got the email, went to the site, and there was no queue, and a ton of pipes available. I selected a pipe and quickly checked out so it wouldn’t get bought out from under me.

Peterson has been talking up their quality control in recent years. It baffles me how some of these pipes could’ve made it out the door with the issues I mentioned earlier. They promoted that whole Pete Geek thing over the last few years, now I suppose they figure the Geeks will buy whatever they churn out.

Here’s the Rua 02BB I purchased. It’s a nice looking pipe; I’ll see what I think of it once I have it in hand.


View attachment 409486

LOL, I saw that, a few pics and an F bomb laced rant about not having "gold" status with SP and conspiracy theory about who picks first and on and on and . . . he buys one! So that kind of rant I put little stock in, but it gets people going.

I've honestly never returned any Peterson (and I have many) for any quality control issue (admittedly one I could have a few years ago with a stain issue, but it was a limited issue) and many have at some point or another, down to individual experiences for sure. Problematic with the limited offerings because you probably can't get a replacement and if they are coming up short they need to hear about it.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

I didn't notice the chamber diameter. 0.42" - kinda ridiculous.

It's going to be +/- .75". Mine are supposed to be either .75 or .76 per the description when I ordered.

There were some mistakes on some of the pipes with chamber depth as well, and there shouldn't be any mistakes, but it wasn't on all or even most of the pipes and I'd think seeing .42" might make someone look a little deeper since it is pretty obviously wrong but with the clock ticking that mistake might have someone passing on ordering which is too bad.

Here is what was in PPN and dimensions were on the the Laudisi site for several days prior.

Length: 5.99 in. | 152 mm
Weight: 2.43 oz. | 69 g
Bowl Height: 2.31 in. | 59 mm
Chamber Depth: 1.87 in. | 47 mm
Chamber Diameter: 0.77 in. | 20 mm
Outside Diameter: 1.37 in. | 35 mm
Stem Material: Vulcanite
Shape: 02 / 02BB, aka “Tall Dutch” or Oom Paul

 

[NC TX ID pipeman]

I would have been interested, vulcanite stem and P-lip. But no system chimney on a full bent, that makes no sense. They've been doing a good job getting the aluminum chimney on new releases, seems odd they would skip a pipe shape crying out for one. I'll stick to my 02.

View attachment 409522

I do not have a chimney on my original O2 shamrock from 40s- 50s....it smokes just fine...

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

I would have been interested, vulcanite stem and P-lip. But no system chimney on a full bent, that makes no sense. They've been doing a good job getting the aluminum chimney on new releases, seems odd they would skip a pipe shape crying out for one. I'll stick to my 02.

View attachment 409522

I was a little surprised at this as well. With the 2021 4AB Peterson incorporated the tenon extension and moisture reservoir and touted what I think were additions not on the original, but I'm not going back and reviewing the design. No doubt a cost advantage for this one and I assume it's "true"' to the original without these things, but would have been nice to see the extra effort.

 

[Shore]

I would have been interested, vulcanite stem and P-lip. But no system chimney on a full bent, that makes no sense. They've been doing a good job getting the aluminum chimney on new releases, seems odd they would skip a pipe shape crying out for one. I'll stick to my 02.

View attachment 409522

What Al said...

 

[ssjones]

I do not have a chimney on my original O2 shamrock from 40s- 50s....it smokes just fine...

For $200, I aim higher than just fine. My 02 is amazing with that chimney.

 

[Groot5225]

Had trouble sleeping and happened t wake up just before 4 am when they dropped on SP EU. There was a pretty limited number of pipes but they had what I was looking for - Rua and Terracotta. No barleys and was sorely tempted to grab one and send back one of these others later, but somehow let it


LOL, I saw that, a few pics and an F bomb laced rant about not having "gold" status with SP and conspiracy theory about who picks first and on and on and . . . he buys one! So that kind of rant I put little stock in, but it gets people going.

I've honestly never returned any Peterson (and I have many) for any quality control issue (admittedly one I could have a few years ago with a stain issue, but it was a limited issue) and many have at some point or another, down to individual experiences for sure. Problematic with the limited offerings because you probably can't get a replacement and if they are coming up short they need to hear about it.

Haha two censored F bombs is considered a F bombed laced rant. Also not really a conspiracy when a “gold” status member informed me how he can add them to his cart prior so once they go live for everyone he checks out. Also verified by SP.

Yes, I bought one that was as perfect as it gets. Just thinking of other unfortunate pipers getting this poor qualities pipes and being disappointed when they arrive.

 

[craig61a]

Some relatively minor surface imperfections aren’t necessarily going to be a deal breaker; then again, when you’re paying upwards of $200, I would expect those to be minimal or non existent.

My biggest concern is the inconsistent drilling. Having the draft hole located 1/4 - 1/3 of the way up the chamber is just negligent. I recall Paddy Larigan mentioning in “He called for his pipe - the fire hole is critical”. Having a smoldering mass of wet tobacco on the floor of the chamber is not my idea of a great experience. And in my opinion it seems to happen a little too often with Peterson pipes, especially bent pipes. I returned a 309 spigot recently because of that. I ordered another and it was drilled correctly. I shouldn’t have to order several just to get one that’s correctly drilled. For $50 I can order a Morgan Bones pipe that’s more consistent in the drilling…

 

[bootlegpipes]

Had trouble sleeping and happened t wake up just before 4 am when they dropped on SP EU. There was a pretty limited number of pipes but they had what I was looking for - Rua and Terracotta. No barleys and was sorely tempted to grab one and send back one of these others later, but somehow let it


LOL, I saw that, a few pics and an F bomb laced rant about not having "gold" status with SP and conspiracy theory about who picks first and on and on and . . . he buys one! So that kind of rant I put little stock in, but it gets people going.

Where was this?

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

Where was this?

PSD.

 

[irishearl]

It's going to be +/- .75". Mine are supposed to be either .75 or .76 per the description when I ordered.

There were some mistakes on some of the pipes with chamber depth as well, and there shouldn't be any mistakes, but it wasn't on all or even most of the pipes and I'd think seeing .42" might make someone look a little deeper since it is pretty obviously wrong but with the clock ticking that mistake might have someone passing on ordering which is too bad.

Here is what was in PPN and dimensions were on the the Laudisi site for several days prior.

Length: 5.99 in. | 152 mm
Weight: 2.43 oz. | 69 g
Bowl Height: 2.31 in. | 59 mm
Chamber Depth: 1.87 in. | 47 mm
Chamber Diameter: 0.77 in. | 20 mm
Outside Diameter: 1.37 in. | 35 mm
Stem Material: Vulcanite
Shape: 02 / 02BB, aka “Tall Dutch” or Oom Paul

Tall Dutch seems right. The bowl shape and dimensions seem similar to the Rathbone, (a stacked Dutch billiard), only with a Hungarian twist.

 

[craig61a]

My PSB Rua arrived today.

Everything is in order. Drilling is good, strong stamping. A beautiful pipe.

 

[craiginthecorn]

Unfortunately, these dropped at the very same moment that the NASPC show floor opened last Friday evening. I had a table and was slammed at 6pm when my timer on my phone began buzzing in my pocket. Ended up with a rusticated silver cap. We'll see. I had the opportunity to buy a Terracotta from a tobacconist, but it wasn't a particularly beautiful one and it was $$, so I passed.

 

[bootlegpipes]

Unfortunately, these dropped at the very same moment that the NASPC show floor opened last Friday evening. I had a table and was slammed at 6pm when my timer on my phone began buzzing in my pocket. Ended up with a rusticated silver cap. We'll see. I had the opportunity to buy a Terracotta from a tobacconist, but it wasn't a particularly beautiful one and it was $$, so I passed.

They actually dropped earlier than 6pm ET even though that was the stated time.

 

[craig61a]

They actually dropped earlier than 6pm ET even though that was the stated time.

Why those rascally rapscallions…

 

[craig61a]

I think I figured out what the new finish on the sandblasts are…

 

[irishearl]

I think I figured out what the new finish on the sandblasts are…

View attachment 411251View attachment 411252

Think you're onto something. Not much blast to that blast. I'm not typically attracted to Pete blasts as almost all of them seem to have black stains which I'm not really into.

 

[craig61a]

Think you're onto something. Not much blast to that blast. I'm not typically attracted to Pete blasts as almost all of them seem to have black stains which I'm not really into.

Point is, I know they can do better…

 

[ashdigger]

I think roofing tar is being too generous. I’m almost positive it road seal.

I grabbed a Terracotta. One is definitely enough of this modern iteration.

Obviously the only reason I bought one is I’m Petersons bitch.

 

[craig61a]

Well , I went and bought a sandblast, just because I’m ill…