Peterson Zulu Drilling

[irishearl]

Your Pete was unfortunate, Craig. Used to be you could count on a higher grade Pete bowl not having obvious flaws. Lately, as noted here, there have been some very high grade Petes with pits. I certainly would expect flawless beyond a certain price point, though have no clue what you paid. I think the moral of this story is, if you're going to shell out a fair bit of $ for a smooth Pete, you're better off holding it in your hand to inspect it first or stick with blasted or rusticated. Half my Petes are smooth ranging from entry level to deluxe system pipes and none have any visual flaws, though most of them are estate.

 

[craiginthecorn]

if you're going to shell out a fair bit of $ for a smooth Pete, you're better off holding it in your hand to inspect it first or stick with blasted or rusticated

I'm coming to that conclusion, too. I did buy this from SmokingPipes.com, which allows returns when buying a new pipe, provided that you don't smoke it. Their photos are at least of the exact pipe that you're getting, but since this is a mid-grade pipe, priced around $170, the photos are fewer. Generally speaking, natural finish pipes are usually limited to bowls with few or no flaws. However, since this isn't a Supreme or even Deluxe grade pipe I didn't expect perfection, but I expected better than this.
I have eight other Petes in my collection. My lowest grade is probably a pre-republic K, but among my newer Petes, I have pipes that run the gamut from Aran through their highest grades. None have noticeable flaws. All were purchased as estate pipes. This was my first new Peterson. A buddy recently bought a new black rusticated 999 and he's fairly certain that it has a good-sized fill. Really? A fill on a rusticated pipe? I've only previously seen that on an old Irish Second.

 

[irishearl]

Actually, for many folks, me included, seeing the pipe in person isn't really an option since the closest decent B&M to me is 250 miles. Guess the most many can do is ask the online seller first if they notice any obvious flaws in the pipe before you buy it. I'm a huge Peterson fan but am starting to get the idea, when it comes to them, that they "don't make them like they used to."

 

[pepesdad1]

Send it back! You are not gonna be happy.

 

[disinformatique]

Through the years Ive been on this forum, I've understood that Peterson pipes can have pits or other flaws in any of their collections unless youre paying $500 and above. Regarding the drilling it should not matter if it smokes good. I have a few pipes with off center drilled holes and they smoke like a charm.
Chris

 

[derekflint]

Could be a great smoker indeed...........should you take that chance ? :?:

 

[balkisobrains]

In 15+ years of reading about pipes, I've never read anything about Peterson pipes that makes me want to buy one, but I've read about plenty of reasons that make me never want to buy one! =P

 

[dochudson]

I'm sure SPs will make you happy with a refund or a well inspected replacement.

 

[saltedplug]

I insist on correct drilling. No question but that I would return it.

 

[saltedplug]

I insist on correct drilling. No question but that I would return it.

 

[pepesdad1]

Send it back. That pipe is too pretty to have the problems it has. You probably are not gonna be happy.

 

[mso489]

balki', I bought six or seven Petes between five and seven years ago, mid-price and one or two low-end, and they all have good fit and finish, after years of use. So Petes have had runs of glory, with their sturdy designs. But I admit that after years of hearing about the glum disappointments, I either wouldn't buy a new one or an estate of recent manufacture, or I would regard it as unquestionably a gamble. Take a chance on a bent brandy. But the ones I happened to buy are good as gold.

 

[irishearl]

mso, would appear some new Petes are a bit of a gamble, some less so. Think most of their blasted or rusticated spigots are probably without issue as are their rusticated Kinsales and deluxe system pipes.

 

[dochudson]

Since SP photographs each pipe someone should have seen that problem and pulled it from stock. I buy all my Pete's from Pipe Divan and have been happy with each one. I suspect they may get first choice on their stock from Peterson.

 

[mrenglish]

I would send it back. Heck, even the hole is a mess with shavings and being uneven. I am a big fan of Peterson but I usually purchase them from Al Pascia. I did break down and purchased two of the new Arklow series at SPC. Both smoke really good though the stem on the 1/4 bent I got was bent incorrectly.

 

[disinformatique]

Yeah looking at the drilling and the price of the Peterson in question. Return it.