thinking of trying a Peterson but ??

[caa55]

Hello guys.

Occasionally the tip area of my tongue gets a little irritated (likely some tongue bite) so I was thinking of giving a Peterson p-lip a try. Hopefully the stem wont be too thick for me to be comfortable with. Guess I wont know till I give it a try but was curious if many found the stem too thick or were you able to easily adapt ?
Regarding pipe models, not sure if I should try one of the "system" pipes or non-system p-lip models. Any reason to prefer one over the other (i.e. system vs non) and any particular Peterson model that seems to be a favorite among the crowd ?
thanks for any advice.

 

[warren]

The bit makes no difference to me. I like my Pete's, only bents. You'll get conflicting information regarding Peterson and quality. I have had no problems with Pete's for over 50 years. The system means a bit more cleaning is all. You should just find a shape you like and try one.
I like the P-lip for pipes I keep in my mouth as the shape means I need exert no pressure to keep the pipe in place. Again it's a preference you'll just have to figure out for yourself.

 

[drennan]

I couldn't get on with the p-lip as much as I tried. I found it easy enought to clench but as it directs the smoke straight up it slowly burnt the roof of my mouth and became uncomfortable.
You can buy replacement fishtail stems for any of the system pipes so I'd be tempt to start there, if you don't like the p-lip you can change to a fishtail.

 

[davet]

Love my Pete's and love the P lips. They aren't any thicker than the fishtail, if anything they feel thinner to me. As Warren says, find a shape you like and give it a try. Ive got about a dozen and they all smoke great.

 

[caa55]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm about ready to pull the trigger but, aside from the extra maintenance, what do you think of the system vs non-system? Should I allow that to factor into my decision on my first Peterson ?

 

[warren]

Not really. Just make sure you that when you clean the pipe you make the extra bit of effort to hit the "well" with a cleaner.

 

[earthbound]

What kinds of tobaccos do you usually smoke? Aromatic, English, Virginia?

 

[caa55]

I tend toward the Burley based blends (haunted bookshop, old joe krantz) but have lately begin to enjoy English (guess it's the colder weather). Occasionally I'll smoke a Virginia with mild Perique. As far as aromatics, i have yet to find one i really like but occasionally buy a tin of a popular one. So guess i'm still in experiment mode on that one.

 

[mso489]

I think it is entirely individual based on jaw and dental configuration. Some only want P-Lips, some want none, and some enjoy one or a few. I own one, enjoy it, but prefer fishtail. Try one, see how you like it. I certainly wouldn't sell or trade my P-Lip; it's a nice change. It just feels like more bit in my mouth to no particular advantage. I think sparing your tongue from bite will be as much easing up on puffing as having a different bit, but I'm guessing. My P-Lip is a Pete Killarney 999 Rhodesian, and I find it a well made good-smoking pipe. I'd say, either buy a Peterson where you can handle and examine it directly, or phone the online retailer and talk them through an inspection to avoid the Peterson quality control problems -- over application of stain, poor drilling, fit and finish problems between the shank and stem. Avoid their green stain which does not age well. I have six or seven Petes and they are all well made.

 

[dochudson]

For a first Pete with a p-lip I went with a system pipe. There might be an addition minute involved in cleaning at the most. I was told by a loafer at the pipe shop that while the pipe was still warm to pull the stem give give the bowl a good flick or two the the sump will empty itself.

 

[foggymountain]

The P lip is ok, but it is harder to get a cleaner through and instead of tongue bite you get roof of mouth bite. Generally speaking, and I hope this does not offend anyone, Petersons are of much lower quality than they were many years ago. I prefer the system pipes because the stem comes off easily so you can get a wide pipecleaner through both parts before the smoke goes out.

 

[davet]

Petersons are of much lower quality than they were many years ago

I love my Pete's and can only imagine what the oldies were like. I guess you could say the same for many things today. There are very few things that have gotten better, besides electronics etc.

 

[lordofthepiperings]

I would highly suggest an estate Peterson system pipe with plip stem to try it out. Usually you can find a gently used estate for around $50.
I haven't gotten "roof of the mouth bite" lol.
The system pipes, in my opinion, do help deliver a cooler drier smoke. It's pretty impressive what the "well" collects. Cleaning it is very easy. Just take the stem off, run a cleaner through it (for me it's just as easy as any fishtail stem), then run it through the shank. After that bend the cleaner into a U shape and put the bend into the shank. Move it around a bit and you'll feel it sink into the well. Then just clean the bowl as usual.