Peterson Vulcanite

[PipeMake]

I have my first peterson and the stem has me confused.

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

The stem is vulcanite according to the gods of paperwork at Peterson, but the odd things is..

1. it sounds and feels like acrylic pipe stem on my teeth and fingernail
2. it has no smell when rubbed
3. it does NOT pass light through from led flashlight from narrow or wide sides.
NEITHER does a DR Grabow I own that was sold in box with "acrylic stem" printed on it.

4. The stem is highly polished and does reflect light very well. But the portion in the tennon, under the silver is a brownish color. Phone sucks..

 

[Waning Embers]

it does NOT pass light through from led flashlight from narrow or wide sides.

I've never known of vulcanite that did and I've never seen a System spigot that didn't have a vulcanite stem.

 

[PipeMake]

I've never known of vulcanite that did and I've never seen a System spigot that didn't have a vulcanite stem.

explain why the acrylic stem of the grabow blocked all light through it?

And can you explain why its so plasticy and not well, softer then the grabow stem

 

[khiddy]

Can you take a photo of more of the stem by any chance? It’s very hard to tell with what you’ve provided.

 

[BingBong]

You don't say whether you have experience of vulcanite stems with which to compare. The difference in the mouth between vulcanite and acrylic is pretty subtle.

 

[PipeMake]

first peterson, and first vulcanite

in the past everyone told me vulcanite would be like cheing on a pencil eraser

 

[BingBong]

first peterson, and first vulcanite

in the past everyone told me vulcanite would be like cheing on a pencil eraser

Definitely not! Then it would be cheapo thermoplastic probably with a seam. Vulcanite is slightly less hard than acrylic, has a "warmer" feel - experience of both over time will let you arrive at your own perceptions.

 

[FLDRD]

I have a few system spigots and I love them.
I think the vulcanite used must be of excellent quality, IMHO.
Anyhow, I don't think it's acrylic, but to me, a great combined feeling of the "old" vulcanite and modern feeling acrylic.
I'm also a fan of the button dimensions on the system spigot line.

 

[Waning Embers]

explain why the acrylic stem of the grabow blocked all light through it?

Post 1980s Grabow's use plastic, not acrylic except for their Royalton line. Up until the 80s, they were vulcanite.

And can you explain why its so plasticy and not well, softer then the grabow stem

Vulcanite is more firm than the soft plastic used by Grabow.

What do you mean blocking light? Vulcanite isn't translucent and only some acrylic is.

 

[bootlegpipes]

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.

 

[anotherbob]

first peterson, and first vulcanite

in the past everyone told me vulcanite would be like cheing on a pencil eraser

Well that's incredibly incorrect. Sorry you got mislead like that.

 

[PipeMake]

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

Advertising let downs..

 

[romaso]

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

Advertising let downs..

You could put a rubber or silicon pipe bit on it if you want softer.

 

[bootlegpipes]

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

Advertising let downs..

You could put a rubber or silicon pipe bit on it if you want softer.

Like @romaso said, these should give you the feeling that you're looking for:

Rubber Pipe Bit - The Country Squire Tobacconist

One softy pipe bit. Protect your pipe's stem, and make clenching softer on your teeth!

www.thecountrysquireonline.com

 

[Sobrbiker]

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

Advertising let downs..

Nope, you just zeroed in on one source that was incorrect. I don’t know any group of pipe smokes that would have “everyone” saying vulcanite would be like a pension eraser or gasket material.
The whole “passing light” is a new one to me, I’ve not seen any black plastic, acrylic, not vulcanite stems that aren’t 100% opaque.

That’s probably a very nice spigot Peterson you’ve got there, too bad the only pic wasn’t very informative…

 

[mingc]

I have my first peterson and the stem has me confused.

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

The stem is vulcanite according to the gods of paperwork at Peterson, but the odd things is..

1. it sounds and feels like acrylic pipe stem on my teeth and fingernail
2. it has no smell when rubbed
3. it does NOT pass light through from led flashlight from narrow or wide sides.
NEITHER does a DR Grabow I own that was sold in box with "acrylic stem" printed on it.

4. The stem is highly polished and does reflect light very well. But the portion in the tennon, under the silver is a brownish color. Phone sucks..

Sounds like this is your first vulcanite stem. Congratulations! The brown end of the tenon is a giveaway, assuming it's clean and not tar. Hard rubber, in the case of vulcanite, is harder than car tires, which is probably what you were expecting. They used to make bowling balls out of the same material. It shines up real good. It can also be brittle and break if dropped right.

 

[Hillcrest]

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

I would try the rubber bits first but if that's not your taste then we do have a Pipe SellTrade thread here as well.

 

[Sig]

In another year you'll be complaining about the Vulcanite oxidizing.
Once it starts, you will beg for Acrylic stems.
I prefer Vulcanite, but I'm plenty happy with my new Peterson with an Acrylic stem. Keeping Vulcanite looking good CAN be a chore.

 

[VDL_Piper]

Your stem could be acrylic as Peterson does do some spigot stems in it. Here is a link to a high end Pete with acrylic https://www.smokingpipes.com/pipes/new/peterson/moreinfo.cfm?product_id=677663

My guess is you will find out what material is used pretty quickly as the vulcanite will oxidise and go dull quickly if you're not attentive.

 

[Waning Embers]

Your stem could be acrylic as Peterson does do some spigot stems in it.

Not the System pipes though.