Peterson Vulcanite

[VDL_Piper]

Not the System pipes though.

I don't think the OP's pic is of a system pipe its just a spigot from the image provided and they don't say if its a fishtail or P Lip so it could be acrylic possibly

 

[PipeMake]

its a system spigot, i know i made that clear

System spigot, factory box, i bought it brand new.

303 rusticated system spigot. if the weather cooperates im gonna be firing it up in the morning.

 

[minerLuke]

My experience with vulcanite versus acrylic is that it is more of a shades of gray than black and white. Generally acrylic is noticeably harder when clenched compared to vulcanite but I have had many exceptions. Some pipe makers use a very hard acrylic (I'm looking at you Brigham) but my Rattray's pipes acrylic stems aren't much harder, if at all, than a good vulcanite stem. I have noticed that on cheaper pipes vulcanite does seem softer and more prone to oxidation.

Most of my pipes have vulcanite or Cumberland stems but I haven't had many problems with oxidation except on a couple of pipes. I do store my pipes in a cabinet out of the sun light.

 

[PipeMake]

Everyone talks about external oxidation, what about inside the pipe

 

[Waning Embers]

Everyone talks about external oxidation, what about inside the pipe

It can happen. Regular moisture removal with pipe cleaners and lack of light exposure lessens it.

 

[Sig]

With regular maintenance BEFORE oxidation starts, Vulcanite can look great for years. I have pipes from the 1930s-1950s that are shiny and look new....ish.
Keeping the stem well oiled is essential. Like a carbon steel blade or a firearm, prevention is key.
Once the oxidation sets in, it's an uphill battle and you'll need to start removing material.

 

[FLDRD]

Not the System pipes though.

Actually the new production System Standard stems are acrylic.
But this is a system spigot. I have a few and love them. But I can't tell if it's acrylic or not. To my uneducated observation it feels to be "in between" what I classically know to be either vulcanite or acrylic.
But I like them tremendously.

 

[Waning Embers]

But this is a system spigot.

Which is why I replied as I did. The OP was about the System spigot.

 

[bootlegpipes]

Not the System pipes though.

Even (some of) the Deluxe System pipes have acrylic stems. I think the Spigot System line is the only System line that's remained all vulcanite.

 

[Waning Embers]

Even (some of) the Deluxe System pipes have acrylic stems. I think the Spigot System line is the only System line that's remained all vulcanite.

Read my comment above yours.

 

[Waning Embers]

I don't think the OP's pic is of a system pipe its just a spigot from the image provided and they don't say if its a fishtail or P Lip so it could be acrylic possibly

The end of the stem inside the spigot is showing oxidation.

 

[PipeMake]

At first I thought the rustication was a little ugly in the photos, but in person its rather cute. It holds so well, and packed so easily. The draw is wonderful. And the bowl coating after its first smoke looks so wonderful.

I do admit, the stem is softer then it looks. I left some teeth marks in it when i had to choose between biting it, and dropping it when the match started buring my fingers.

 

[zercules]

I'm pretty sure all System Spigots are still vulcanite. And like @BingBong said, vulcanite is definitely not like biting an eraser. A better comparison (though completely inaccurate still) would be acrylic is like biting glass whereas vulcanite is like biting a really hard piece of wood.

Actually, not all system spigots are vulcanite. Newgrange are, at least, acrylic.

I am also confounded by the Peterson vulcanite. The only other pipe I have with a vulcanite stem is a Morgan Bones. It is significantly more rubbery and oxidizes incredibly fast. I have two Peterson pipes advertised as vulcanite and they are both somewhat softer than the typical acrylic stem but still high polish with zero oxidation. I just assumed that they were mislabeled on the SP website. I don’t care for vulcanite so I didn’t mind the mishap. But it sounds like, from another comment, the quality is just much better. Maybe cheap vulcanite oxidizes faster and is chewier, idk

 

[ssjones]

Thats a piss off, i was hoping for the hard rubber actually being like well, hard rubber gasket material.

Advertising let downs..

You are never going to find a decent vulcanite stem pipe that feels that way.

The closest thing is probably an old Charatan, the rubber they used was softer than the other marques.

 

[paulfg]

You are never going to find a decent vulcanite stem pipe that feels that way.

The closest thing is probably an old Charatan, the rubber they used was softer than the other marques.

and oxidises if you even look at it