Peterson Pipes - Is This The Norm Or Was I Simply Unlucky

[TheSouthAfrican]

Hi all,

I live in a rural part of South Africa so I order my pipes from overseas rather than taking the 4 hour drive to Johannesburg and back. I have a couple of old Petersons and I mostly buy estate pipes so all are probably pre-2010. I recently however purchased a new Peterson. I was highly disappointed when it seemed like the pipe must have been taken from the reject bin. The bowl is way off center, the nickel ring has a bend in it and one can clearly see where wood filler has been used. None of my older Petersons have any of these problems and all are the result of good craftsmanship. One can clearly see that the craftsmen took pride in their work.

Am I simply unlucky with getting a pipe that accidentally made its way past quality control, or is this the norm with newer Peterson pipes?

Thank you,
TheSouthAfrican

 

[seanv]

Which Peterson line is from, Aran, Shannon etc

 

[TheSouthAfrican]

Aran

 

[tg51]

It may be an anomaly that simply slipped by quality control. I have several Peterson's that I've collected and even a factory second and have never come across this issue. I'm sorry that this happened but maybe try to reach out to customer support and I'm sure they'll do their best to fix this issue.

 

[TheSouthAfrican]

Ok thanks, that's good to know and hope you're right since I love my peterson pipes and have another new one which is already on its way via postal service.

 

[jpmcwjr]

"The bowl is way off center, the nickel ring has a bend in it and one can clearly see where wood filler has been used."

My Arans also have fills. By "bowl off center" do you mean the drilling of the airway in the mortise?

Photos would help a great deal.

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[thebigragu]

I agree with the others that it's just a fluke, and you should contact who you bought it from and see if they can do so.ething to fix the problem. I have had a few Petersons and loved them

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

when it comes to entry-level Petersons ,where possible it might be advisable to check it physically in person before buying,and if no, then prior to first smoke check it carefully and if there are obvious flaws to be found right back it went to the vendor,,

 

[seldom]

There have been a lot of complaints about Peterson quality control. You are not alone. I sometimes feel that Peterson gets defended out of a sense of nostalgia or else from those who confound the qualities of Ireland with a pipe made there.
There are lots of complaints about modern day Peterson pipes. Personally, I will never buy a new Peterson.

As an aside, good to hear from a South African! I've spend considerable time there and, in fact, my first son was born in South Africa.

 

[warren]

Peterson.ie will most likely make it right with you. Email them.

 

[mso489]

I've bought my Petes from Iwan Ries, PC, and SP, and I've been lucky with all six or eight of them, just mid-grade factory pipes. The several I've bought recently have likewise been fine, and these were discount -- an unfinished Dublin and a rusticated briar calabash. I have certainly heard complaints and have to believe 'em, but maybe because of the retailers I've used, mine seem to have been through a quality control screening by someone. I have two B11 brandy shape pipes that were bought maybe eight years ago and are excellent.

 

[irishearl]

There have been a lot of complaints about Peterson quality control. You are not alone. I sometimes feel that Peterson gets defended out of a sense of nostalgia or else from those who confound the qualities of Ireland with a pipe made there.
There are lots of complaints about modern day Peterson pipes. Personally, I will never buy a new Peterson.

As an aside, good to hear from a South African! I've spend considerable time there and, in fact, my first son was born in South Africa.

I'm a Peterson fan, not out of nostalgia or because they're associated with Ireland. Simply because I think they have some of the best bowl designs out there. As to QC complaints, though, do think they're often over-blown. For example, we recently had a discussion about how a bent Pete had the mortise drilled near the top. Sykes chimed in to point out that that tends to be common practice among various factory pipe makers. A few others contributed photos of their (non-Peterson) bent pipes including a Castello with the same drilling, yet, the OP was implying this was a Peterson "QC" issue.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Good points. I think those who are currently turned against Peterson should give them another go, perhaps in a year or so, when the oversight of the new owners have had a chance to revamp some parts of the operation and has had time to filter through. Meantime, if you can inspect one before purchase, that's the way I'd go.

 

[olkofri]

There are lots of complaints about modern day Peterson pipes. Personally, I will never buy a new Peterson.

Ditto.

Why Pete when you can Sav'?

 

[alaskanpiper]

Why Pete when you can Sav'?

I do like some of the Pete's I have, but this is almost always my line of thinking as well. Well put.

 

[stogie37]

The dented nickel ring is a flag. This would not escape Peterson QC, and IMO likely happened after leaving the factory. The other issues are concerning and a pic or 2 would be great. I own almost a dozen Pete’s across multiple lines. 6 of these purchased over the past 6 years. All pass my QC, look and smoke great. I’m not giving up on Peterson any time soon. Hopefully your next one proves the first to be an anomaly. Best wishes - Stogie37

 

[sandollars]

This isn't the Peterson I know. All mine smoke and look great. The only problen I have had was the decorative ring came unglued between the stem and Mortise. Easy enough fix..

 

[jpmcwjr]

 

[augiebd]

I don’t have a large collection of Peterson’s but the four I have all meet quality standards and smoke well.

 

[didimauw]

I get it, creative! Haha