Peterson vs. Savinelli 2020

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Hey guys. I'm new to this forum, though I've been smoking pipes since 2004.

In browsing through these forums, I saw quite a bit of discussion regarding the merits of a Peterson pipe vs. a Savinelli. I'd like to weigh in on this, if I may.

I have several of both brands. (In fact, as I write this, I'm enjoying a bowl of Ashton's Consummate Gentleman in my Savinelli Roma Lucite, 614).) I feel as far as the quality of the smoke, the aesthetics of the pipe, and the overall enjoyment of the whole experience, Petes and Savs are evenly matched. I really can't tell a difference. I suppose, if I was forced to choose, I might lean a bit more toward my Petes. Maybe there's something about the way a Peterson feels in my hand that is just slightly better. But you can't go wrong with either pipe. A Rossi is a good investment as well.

Having said that, I do think that smoking Peterson tobacco in a Peterson pipe, and Savinelli tobacco in a Savinelli pipe is a preferred method. But others might think me a bit too fastidious in this matter.
 
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Welcome to the site! I would agree that overall, Pete's and Sav's are equal, with each having certain strengths. I love my pete's more, overall, but I would demand a knife fight if you tried to take my high end examples of either.

I have a Dunhill too. It was given to me as a gift. I couldn't afford it on my own. And while I like it, I'm not sure it's worth the price. I really think that in this instance, you're paying for the name. I have a $40 Dr. Grabow in my rotation that pleases me just as much.
 
I have a Dunhill too. It was given to me as a gift. I couldn't afford it on my own. And while I like it, I'm not sure it's worth the price. I really think that in this instance, you're paying for the name. I have a $40 Dr. Grabow in my rotation that pleases me just as much.
I sometimes think that the quality of any smoke has less to do with the brand name and more to do with how well you break the pipe in.
 

workman

Lifer
Jan 5, 2018
2,794
4,230
The Faroe Islands
Both are good, but not perfect IMO.
I have a couple of Peterson system pipes that gurgle. They look exactly how a pipe is supposed to look. Truly beautiful. Perfect chamber size and excellent clenchers, but they do gurgle.
I also have a 999 spigot that smokes wonderfully, but is drilled a little off. Sometimes it won't pass a cleaner.
I also have three Savinelli. The two straight billiards were uncomfortable clenchers, so they've been banished to the drawer of shame. The one I've kept is a 602 bent billiard. Good smoker, passes cleaner, is drilled for filters so it gets gunky, OK clencher but not as good as my Peterson's and Stanwells.
Stanwells are superior to both the others IMO.
 
Both are good, but not perfect IMO.
I have a couple of Peterson system pipes that gurgle. They look exactly how a pipe is supposed to look. Truly beautiful. Perfect chamber size and excellent clenchers, but they do gurgle.
I also have a 999 spigot that smokes wonderfully, but is drilled a little off. Sometimes it won't pass a cleaner.
I also have three Savinelli. The two straight billiards were uncomfortable clenchers, so they've been banished to the drawer of shame. The one I've kept is a 602 bent billiard. Good smoker, passes cleaner, is drilled for filters so it gets gunky, OK clencher but not as good as my Peterson's and Stanwells.
Stanwells are superior to both the others IMO.
Hmmm, I don't own a Stanwell yet. Perhaps I should rectify that.
 
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Grangerous

Lifer
Dec 8, 2020
3,493
14,503
East Coast USA
Professor B,
Welcome to the forum! Well, I have a modest Peterson arriving Monday. An Aran Billiard. It will be my first. I agree with you on the smokabilty of Grabows and I own some handsome baskets that smoke beautifully.

I don’t hold high expectations for the Peterson, and perhaps neither should the pipe.. Granger meet Peterson; Peterson, Granger.
 
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Professor B,
Welcome to the forum! Well, I have a modest Peterson arriving Monday. An Aran Billiard. It will be my first. I agree with you on the smokabilty of Grabows and I own some handsome baskets that smoke beautifully.

I don’t hold high expectations for the Peterson, and perhaps neither should the pipe.. Granger meet Peterson; Peterson, Granger.

One of my Petersons is an Aran. Smooth, bent billiard. I love it. I'd have high expectations, if I were you...
 

mso489

Lifer
Feb 21, 2013
41,211
60,635
Savinelli and their sub-brand Rossi, and Peterson are some of my major brands, and I enjoy them both. Peterson had persistent quality control complaints about three to five years ago, but those seem to have quieted down, and I have never had a problem with mine. The Petes may have a little more charisma, that chunky heft, but Sav probably offers a greater variety and range of styles of design. I'd feel comfortable recommending either brand. I recognize that some prefer more distinctly up-market pipes, but Sav and Petes have been solid for me.
 
Hey guys. I'm new to this forum, though I've been smoking pipes since 2004.

In browsing through these forums, I saw quite a bit of discussion regarding the merits of a Peterson pipe vs. a Savinelli. I'd like to weigh in on this, if I may.

I have several of both brands. (In fact, as I write this, I'm enjoying a bowl of Ashton's Consummate Gentleman in my Savinelli Roma Lucite, 614).) I feel as far as the quality of the smoke, the aesthetics of the pipe, and the overall enjoyment of the whole experience, Petes and Savs are evenly matched. I really can't tell a difference. I suppose, if I was forced to choose, I might lean a bit more toward my Petes. Maybe there's something about the way a Peterson feels in my hand that is just slightly better. But you can't go wrong with either pipe. A Rossi is a good investment as well.

Having said that, I do think that smoking Peterson tobacco in a Peterson pipe, and Savinelli tobacco in a Savinelli pipe is a preferred method. But others might think me a bit too fastidious in this matter.

Also, I keep hearing about Mr. Brog pipes. Anyone have any thoughts on them? I might try one. We'll see.
 
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May 2, 2018
3,975
30,777
Bucks County, PA
Welcome! I’ve owned some Peterson’s & Savinellis and as far a dependability and smoking experience I believe Savinelli edges Peterson’s out. I’ve had some good & not so good Peterson’s. However, I’ve never had a problem with any Savinelli I’ve owned in either mechanics or smoking characteristics. Overall though... I prefer a good ole rank cob. ☕
 

Chasing Embers

Captain of the Black Frigate
Nov 12, 2014
45,095
118,362
A new Dunhill for $20. I'll believe it when I see it.
That one wasn't new, but it was $20. An HT XL Collector from 2002 was $150. In the Savinelli photo, only six of those were more than $30. New Dunhills are sometimes hard to find considering they ceased production in 2011. Then again, I've never considered them top of the line.

20180317_122707.jpg
 
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Prunetucky84

Starting to Get Obsessed
Apr 17, 2020
166
419
Clovis, CA
Hey guys. I'm new to this forum, though I've been smoking pipes since 2004.

In browsing through these forums, I saw quite a bit of discussion regarding the merits of a Peterson pipe vs. a Savinelli. I'd like to weigh in on this, if I may.

I have several of both brands. (In fact, as I write this, I'm enjoying a bowl of Ashton's Consummate Gentleman in my Savinelli Roma Lucite, 614).) I feel as far as the quality of the smoke, the aesthetics of the pipe, and the overall enjoyment of the whole experience, Petes and Savs are evenly matched. I really can't tell a difference. I suppose, if I was forced to choose, I might lean a bit more toward my Petes. Maybe there's something about the way a Peterson feels in my hand that is just slightly better. But you can't go wrong with either pipe. A Rossi is a good investment as well.

Having said that, I do think that smoking Peterson tobacco in a Peterson pipe, and Savinelli tobacco in a Savinelli pipe is a preferred method. But others might think me a bit too fastidious in this matter.
Hey there and welcome from Fresno, California! Peterson’s and Savinelli’s both are great reputable brands and make great workhorse pipes, all the way up to very high end pieces. I’d say it’s a matter of preference, but I believe the quality control is a bit higher with Savinelli, but that’s just not picking. Both are great and I own many of each, but I lean towards savinelli.
 

cigrmaster

Lifer
May 26, 2012
20,248
57,309
66
Sarasota Florida
The first pipe I ever bought was a Savinelli and it was a great pipe that gave me a baseline on how a good pipe should smoke. I had one Peterson that smoked like shit and I dumped it. I had a few Sainelli's over the years and each one was a great smoker. I never bought another Peterson.
 
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