Yes! Or if you prefer….No! Wanna fight about it? (I kid!)
I have one system pipe, it’s …meh. The roof of mouth delivery is odd, and you can’t clench it. I’ll probably give it away.
Peterson system Question
- Thread starter Masterblaster
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I have one system pipe, it’s …meh. The roof of mouth delivery is odd, and you can’t clench it. I’ll probably give it away.
System pipes give you a dry cool smoke and they work quite well, I personally like the plip system pipe as they direct the smoke across the pallet as opposed to down your throat, for me it gives the smoker a better opportunity to taste the different flavors in the tobacco.
My first pipe I bought was a Peterson rosslare royal irish sandblast b10 fishtail. I smoke all my aromatics out if it, which I like that it’s bent so I can smell the aroma as I smoke. Love the pipe.
Just curious. Is your system pipe straight? Those have never made sense to me. While I love the way the P-lip hangs effortlessly on my teeth on a deeply bent pipe, I hate them on straight or slightly bent pipes because, as you mentioned, they're hard to clench.
It’s a full bent, I’m a clencher and don’t care for the way the p-lip sits in the mouth relative to clenching. It’s a hold in the hand jobby for me when smoking it. It’s not unpleasant it’s just sort of meh, not worth the trouble.
If you love the look of them you can’t go wrong , they are my favorite for sure . Some love the P lips some Don’t thats something to consider, personally I’m a fan of the system and p lips
I have this exact pipe, and it is one of the best burners I’ve come across. Really caught me off guard actually. I’d love to see some pics of the the bowl, mine was covered in a horribly thick lacquer that I have been slowly remove to expose the blast. Yours looks like it was finished before the lunchtime Guinness at the factory
Mines the same way. It was the first pipe I ever bought not really knowing what I was doing, luckily it smokes very nice. I’ve learned now that every pipe I have, has its own quirks and personality.
So, following that line of reasoning, then it could not reasonably be called a system pipe unless it had all the follow on modifications, such as an absorbent filter, or an even funkier looking mouthpiece...
That would be a deluxe system not the standard system.
Only one way for the OP to know if he likes them is to buy one and smoke it.
Only one way for the OP to know if he likes them is to buy one and smoke it.
I mostly based my comments on what Mark Irwin has written about what constitutes the original System pipe. Perhaps I've applied the "definition" a little too heavy-handedly.
Mark mentions the higher draft hole, moisture well, graduated bore, a condenser or chimney at the end of the mouthpiece, and P-Lip button. These are all incorporated in the recent 2021 POTY 4AB, which was intended to be true to the original in all respects.
According to Peterson's own description and history of the System Pipe, Charles Peterson developed and patented the design originally in 1890, then refined it over the next eight years, including adding the P-Lip. So, I guess one question to ask is "Where in time do you put a stake in the ground and state that THIS is what defines a System pipe?". I have opted for Peterson's choice of 1898, but remain open to arguments to the contrary.
While you have cited some interesting historical patents issued to Peterson, you haven't provided evidence that these were intended as improvements to their System pipe or ever marketed as such. Both were issued well after the final (according to Peterson.ie) System pipe refinements in 1898.
I'm not discounting the possibility that subsequent changes were made; however, I don't believe the first patent design was ever actually manufactured and sold. According to Mark Irwin, "A second patent, from July 9, 1914, is fascinating in its details but also seems like more of an idea than something he was testing. It looks like a Patent System that’s been complexified by the addition of two more parts: an 'absorbent wad' and a new chamber with an 'absorbent interceptor.'”
The second patent, which is for the NAP mouthpiece, a brilliant design that unfortunately wasn't a commercial success. I can confidently say it's a brilliant design because I have a reproduction in my collection and I absolutely love the it. The question of whether this design change could be considered a System pipe is a good one. Read Mark Irwin's excellent blog post regarding this innovation. He uses the term"NAP System".
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FYI, the B42 has a very large bowl, larger than the 307 (XL90). I have 2 B42s and like them for long evening smokes.
All my systems have fishtails, though some came with P-lips that I replaced. I prefer the fishtail, don't like the smoke hitting the roof of my mouth.
Another great feature is that they dry very quickly, just swab out the reservoir with a paper napkin and leave it disassembled. Thus they're great for traveling, or if you just want a few pipes.