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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2022 18:31:14 GMT -5
I like the look of Peterson pipes. Smoking them, on the other hand and at least for me, is a totally different ball game.
As with the previous times I acquired Peterson pipes, the general trend seemed to have been that the first 5 or 6 pipefuls weren't too bad, but then, things quickly went downhill, always ending in increasingly more awful smokes. Then, I would give up. This time around, the same looks like it's happening.
Last year, I had bought 6 or 7 Standard System fishtails. It was the first time I tried them. Besides the first few pipefuls being a bit tough on my mouth, they were smoking really good, and I was really happy with them. Enthousiastic, even. But then, around 10 pipefuls or so, they all started to smoke badly. Like the previous ones.
Consequently, for the enduring fans, I am trying to understand this love for the brand. I have purchased several Peterson over the last 12 years and failed to keep one among all the 60 + I have bought. I am not seeking, with this post, to beat my grievances against the brand to death and I am not seeking to insult people. I am trying to understand what people find in them that makes them appreciate those pipes. Because, did I ever try again and again and just don't get it as my experience with them has always been negative, more so than with other brands I have tried.
The last ones I acquired over the last 2 months are: - POTY 21 blast - Standard System 301 rusticated (fishtail) - Standard System 302 rusticated (fishtail) - Standard System 305 smooth (fishtail) - Standard System 312 smooth (fishtail) - Deluxe System 2s smooth - 9s w/silver cap blast - 20s w/silver cap blast The 9s has been returned as it was not the one I bought. The blast on it (as I've shown in another thread) was atrocious.
For the ones I smoked, so far.
- The POTY is an acceptable smoke, which means it's not good or great. The boring in the mortise starts at the 2nd section (which I understand that's where it should start, for the well to do its job). Despite my good packing technique and despite always using tobacco that is not moist, the smokes are very inconsistent from one to the other. It tends, however, to become harsh and unpleasant in taste starting at the mid-bowl every time. I have smoked it a dozen times.
- The Deluxe 20s is a really bad smoker. Sadly, it was pretty expensive. The airway starts high in the mortise so the moisture mostly accumulates in the top section of the well. The boring (I had not noticed adequately as the silver band can be blinding when I'm trying to have a look under direct light) is quite large, but vertically wise, as if the lad started to drill, stopped, and resumed a bit lower. Such a more than normal open airway always generates extra moisture which makes the smoke unpleasant before I hit the mid bowl point. The airway in the tobacco chamber is about 3mm too high and wider than normal. Right from the start, the smoke does not taste great and it quickly goes downhill. I have endured about 10 pipefuls.
- The 305 has 2 sections for the well. The boring is high in the mortise. Like the POTY, past that mid -bowl point, the taste changes significantly with the exception that it seems to smoke on the wet side. I have smoked it 8 or 9 times.
None of them has delivered nor a dry, nor a cool smoke as is advertised about the System's system.
For the unsmoked ones, now. I did not smoke the 301, the 302, the 312 or the 2s. However, I made the following observations:
- I have noticed that none of the System wells are drilled alike. Some seem to be drilled okay, others are all to whack. - The boring on the 312 is high, as with the 20s, and very large as well, still vertically wise. And, on top of that, the mortise's drilling is wide and deep and then, there's a small section at the bottom that is narrow. So it has 2 sections instead of 3.
- The 302 boring is also fairly large, at the top of the mortise, and the well boring is misaligned.
- The 2s has a large boring in the mortise but, in the tobacco chamber, the airway is probably under 3mm wide. The airway starts at the 2nd section.
- The 301 seems to be the one, with the POTY, which is the best bored, overall, as much on the airway level than the well.
From what I've observed, there doesn't seem to really be any precise standards established when it comes to drilling the airways or the wells. That, rather, it seems like everything is decided in a spur of the moment.
I understand tastes are a subjective affair. But, today again, I smoked the POTY, the 20s and the 305 and was, alas, once more disappointed. I am not sure I am willing to put up with 25 - 50 smokes of this as someone suggested, or to even start smoking the unsmoked ones.
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Post by Ronv69 on Jun 18, 2022 18:54:15 GMT -5
Peterson pipes are semi hand-made and they do vary. I like how they feel in my hand and I like the way they smoke. I suggest that you stop buying them.
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Post by username on Jun 18, 2022 19:28:17 GMT -5
I don’t I’ve ended up selling everyone I had.
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Post by trailboss on Jun 18, 2022 20:39:17 GMT -5
I like my Peterson’s, I don’t have any dogs… I do have a pre-republic system pipe with a boomerang stem, that smokes the best of the lot. None of mine are bad smokers, even the Aran line, or a Donegal.
I suspect that it depends on when they come off the line, and what makes it past the inspection process. I have heard way too many detractors of that line not to agree that they have issues.
I am pretty good at dodge ball.
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chasingembers
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Post by chasingembers on Jun 18, 2022 23:42:29 GMT -5
I got a 2021 Christmas Strand. The stem had no button so I ram a string through it and hung it on the Christmas tree. I won't buy another one.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2022 4:52:40 GMT -5
I got a 2021 Christmas Strand. The stem had no button so I ram a string through it and hung it on the Christmas tree. I won't buy another one. At least, you saved yourself some money on Christmas decorations.
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Post by Darin on Jun 19, 2022 9:42:25 GMT -5
Not a fan ... 2 in the whole collection, I believe. One that I keep just because it's an '86/'87 Mark Twain.
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chasingembers
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Post by chasingembers on Jun 19, 2022 10:40:48 GMT -5
I got a 2021 Christmas Strand. The stem had no button so I ram a string through it and hung it on the Christmas tree. I won't buy another one. At least, you saved yourself some money on Christmas decorations. My kids had been asking me for a pipe for a personal addition to the tree and it solved the dilemma.👍
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Post by exbenedict on Jun 20, 2022 23:46:42 GMT -5
I have 5 of varying shapes and designs and I have had zero issues with any of them, 🤷🏻♂️
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Post by Legend Lover on Jun 21, 2022 8:57:57 GMT -5
Gotta say I'm not 100% sold on them either. They are certainly not the ones I reach for in my collection.
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Post by Plainsman on Jun 21, 2022 9:04:07 GMT -5
I’ve been lucky. My three favorite pipes are my two Houses and one Pub. Very good smokers and nicely hand-filling.
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Post by urbino on Jun 21, 2022 21:24:49 GMT -5
I've got 4: a Deluxe System, an army mount, and a couple of Donegals, I think. One of the latter -- I think it's an XL22, or something like that -- doesn't smoke well. I have no complaints with the other 3, but I'm in no rush to buy more. That's partly just an aesthetic choice, but I'd also like them to fix their QC issues before I throw any more money their way. I'm not optimistic. If Laudisi had any intention of improving its track record, it would've done it by now.
Here's hoping they don't buy any more pipe companies.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2022 6:31:47 GMT -5
I've got 4: a Deluxe System, an army mount, and a couple of Donegals, I think. One of the latter -- I think it's an XL22, or something like that -- doesn't smoke well. I have no complaints with the other 3, but I'm in no rush to buy more. That's partly just an aesthetic choice, but I'd also like them to fix their QC issues before I throw any more money their way. I'm not optimistic. If Laudisi had any intention of improving its track record, it would've done it by now. Here's hoping they don't buy any more pipe companies. I concur. I don't know what happened with C & D but I enjoyed a lot of their mixtures pre-Laudisi era, but afterward, I noticed some changes (and I am not sure they are all attributable to the application of a new anti-molding agent) and my tastebuds never agreed with the new production. As recently as the end of last year, I bought a few tins and quickly abandoned smoking them. The C & D products are the only ones that irritate my gumline, within 3 or 4 pipefuls, to the point where I am forced to stop smoking a pipe for up to 4 or 5 days so it can recover. Realistically speaking, about 4 years into ownership of Peterson is more than sufficient time to have resolved the existing QC/absence of proper standards in place. To me, this means there is no serious intention of focusing any effort on them, especially if their sales have not suffered since.
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rastewart
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Post by rastewart on Jun 22, 2022 12:34:32 GMT -5
I have, I believe, three Peterson pipes. I keep meaning to look up the numbers before replying here, but it doesn't get done, so consider this my one cent's worth. One is a non-system billiard I bought new at Iwan Ries in the seventies, the second is a straight bulldog gifted me by a fellow Smokers Forums member at least ten or fifteen years ago, and finally a 303 that I bought as an estate some years ago. I haven't had problems with any of them, and the 303 in particular is a favorite. So what do I like about Petersons? The style, first of all. Esthetically they strike the same chord for me as, say, an old manual typewriter or a fifties-vintage Raleigh touring bike. They are a nice size and nestle in the hand just right--again, especially the 303. And for me they have provided reliably good smoking at an affordable price.
Considering all I've heard--not just here--about quality-control issues, I'd have to say I've been lucky; quite possibly because all of my Petersons are older. I had been considering rounding out my small selection with a sandblast 303 (the one I have is smooth), but this point I think I'll keep looking in the estate market rather than risk an expensive (for my budget) disappointment on a new one.
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Post by urbino on Jun 22, 2022 18:24:32 GMT -5
I've got 4: a Deluxe System, an army mount, and a couple of Donegals, I think. One of the latter -- I think it's an XL22, or something like that -- doesn't smoke well. I have no complaints with the other 3, but I'm in no rush to buy more. That's partly just an aesthetic choice, but I'd also like them to fix their QC issues before I throw any more money their way. I'm not optimistic. If Laudisi had any intention of improving its track record, it would've done it by now. Here's hoping they don't buy any more pipe companies. I concur. I don't know what happened with C & D but I enjoyed a lot of their mixtures pre-Laudisi era, but afterward, I noticed some changes (and I am not sure they are all attributable to the application of a new anti-molding agent) and my tastebuds never agreed with the new production. As recently as the end of last year, I bought a few tins and quickly abandoned smoking them. The C & D products are the only ones that irritate my gumline, within 3 or 4 pipefuls, to the point where I am forced to stop smoking a pipe for up to 4 or 5 days so it can recover. Realistically speaking, about 4 years into ownership of Peterson is more than sufficient time to have resolved the existing QC/absence of proper standards in place. To me, this means there is no serious intention of focusing any effort on them, especially if their sales have not suffered since. I haven't had any problems with C&D, happily. That gum thing sounds like zero fun.
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Post by urbino on Jun 22, 2022 18:24:54 GMT -5
I have, I believe, three Peterson pipes. I keep meaning to look up the numbers before replying here, but it doesn't get done, so consider this my one cent's worth. One is a non-system billiard I bought new at Iwan Ries in the seventies, the second is a straight bulldog gifted me by a fellow Smokers Forums member at least ten or fifteen years ago, and finally a 303 that I bought as an estate some years ago. I haven't had problems with any of them, and the 303 in particular is a favorite. So what do I like about Petersons? The style, first of all. Esthetically they strike the same chord for me as, say, an old manual typewriter or a fifties-vintage Raleigh touring bike. They are a nice size and nestle in the hand just right--again, especially the 303. And for me they have provided reliably good smoking at an affordable price.
Considering all I've heard--not just here--about quality-control issues, I'd have to say I've been lucky; quite possibly because all of my Petersons are older. I had been considering rounding out my small selection with a sandblast 303 (the one I have is smooth), but this point I think I'll keep looking in the estate market rather than risk an expensive (for my budget) disappointment on a new one. A wise approach, I think.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2022 20:13:15 GMT -5
I don't know if it's true but I heard some old-timers on various forums mention that Peterson started taking a bad turn when Tom Palmer bought the brand in the 1990s. My first Peterson was a Racing Green with P-Lip, a Straight Dublin, I don't even know the shape number. It didn't smoke very well.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2022 20:18:22 GMT -5
I have, I believe, three Peterson pipes. I keep meaning to look up the numbers before replying here, but it doesn't get done, so consider this my one cent's worth. One is a non-system billiard I bought new at Iwan Ries in the seventies, the second is a straight bulldog gifted me by a fellow Smokers Forums member at least ten or fifteen years ago, and finally a 303 that I bought as an estate some years ago. I haven't had problems with any of them, and the 303 in particular is a favorite. So what do I like about Petersons? The style, first of all. Esthetically they strike the same chord for me as, say, an old manual typewriter or a fifties-vintage Raleigh touring bike. They are a nice size and nestle in the hand just right--again, especially the 303. And for me they have provided reliably good smoking at an affordable price.
Considering all I've heard--not just here--about quality-control issues, I'd have to say I've been lucky; quite possibly because all of my Petersons are older. I had been considering rounding out my small selection with a sandblast 303 (the one I have is smooth), but this point I think I'll keep looking in the estate market rather than risk an expensive (for my budget) disappointment on a new one. That is why I have kept buying them. Their design is appealing. But over the last year or so, their blasts are not so great, anymore.
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Rattlesnake Daddy
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Post by Rattlesnake Daddy on Jun 23, 2022 9:38:11 GMT -5
Much of it for me is the classic looks of Peterson's pipes. I currently have 5 with an older meerschaum on the way. I find that they all smoke fine, but finish quality can vary. Their heavy sandblast and rusticated finishes can really throw the lines of the pipes off, and stem bends tend to vary within each model. For that reason, I tend to like to see the actual pipe I am purchasing.
It doesn't always work out though. I discovered a void in the smoking chamber of a recent purchase after getting the pipe home. I do not know how it passed quality control. I purchased it at a closeout sale from a local shop that is closing its doors, so rather than deal with the hassle of trying to return it, I decided to experiment with filling it with some pipe mud. It should be fine, but time will tell.
Overall, I think of Petersons as good knockabout pipes. Something to take out to the garage or garden that I don't have to worry about. For similar money though, I tend to prefer Savinelli's. They have fewer shapes on offer, but have a much better overall fit and finish.
YMMV,
RSD
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rastewart
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Post by rastewart on Jun 23, 2022 12:43:29 GMT -5
I have, I believe, three Peterson pipes. And by three, of course, I mean five. I totally spaced out on two sandblasts that are among my favorites, one of them a Premier 307 made in 1989, the birth year of my middle daughter (who among all my younguns is the one who has been most interested in my pipes since early childhood). What a terrible waste it is to lose one's mind.
But again, these are older Petersons and have been consistently good smokers over the years, so my point stands, such as it was.
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JimK
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Post by JimK on Jul 4, 2022 12:29:23 GMT -5
I have but one Peterson, purchased before 1979. It's a standard system fishtail. The only complaint that I have is that after I've finished my smoke, and emptied out the ashes, the pipe really stinks until it has had a chance to dry out. Every so often I have to take a pipe cleaner thoroughly soaked in some grain alcohol and clean the well. Other than that, I rather like the pipe.
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Post by Ronv69 on Jul 17, 2022 21:34:05 GMT -5
This Peterson is the best smoking pipe I have. It's a 1998 Limited Edition 171/1000. The previous owner had smoked it until it wouldn't fit a pencil eraser in the bowl and the stummel was almost completely closed. A little cleaning and it's better than new.
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Post by gav on Jul 18, 2022 3:25:29 GMT -5
I Love my Peterson Apple, has never let me down
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Post by Ronv69 on Jul 18, 2022 10:02:38 GMT -5
I Love my Peterson Apple, has never let me down Hey man! Long time no see.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2022 17:16:12 GMT -5
I suggest that you stop buying them. The 'Pete Bashing' thing that is part of every Pipe forum, is really perplexing. I understand the complaints about some new Petes, but there's even at least one 'Pete Bashing' thread in another forum, regarding the new Rua Spigots, which was one of the most exciting and positive 'drops' I've seen from Peterson, ever. It really indicated to me that Peterson was intent on up'ing their game. But what's really perplexing is that people who don't want one, want to talk about them so much. I don't think much of Savinellis, but I can't imagine starting a 'Sav Bashing' thread, if for no other reason than that I know a lot of my friends buy and love them. So I love your suggestion, but I would add: "Don't even look at them."
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2022 17:40:24 GMT -5
...and I have 166 Petersons, so I obviously like them ![:)](//storage.forums.net/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png) (I also have five or so Savinellis)
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Post by Ronv69 on Jul 18, 2022 20:18:58 GMT -5
...and I have 166 Petersons, so I obviously like them ![:)](//storage.forums.net/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png) (I also have five or so Savinellis) I have 12-15 Petes and about the same number of Savinellis. All Savinellis seem to smoke exactly the same to me. I have seen some of the newer Petes that have been unacceptable, but they were lower end. My POY 4ab really doesn't have a great blast and it's kind of misshapen. But I hear that this is acceptable on a Dunhill so what do I know. Most of my Petes are pre 2010, so there's that. But I liked the first Pete I ever bought, and the next one and the one after that. If I ever paid full price for one that was screwed up then I would stop buying them. It would be insane to continue to purchase a product that I was dissatisfied with.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2022 21:08:00 GMT -5
...and I have 166 Petersons, so I obviously like them ![:)](//storage.forums.net/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png) (I also have five or so Savinellis) I have 12-15 Petes and about the same number of Savinellis. All Savinellis seem to smoke exactly the same to me. I have seen some of the newer Petes that have been unacceptable, but they were lower end. My POY 4ab really doesn't have a great blast and it's kind of misshapen. But I hear that this is acceptable on a Dunhill so what do I know. Most of my Petes are pre 2010, so there's that. But I liked the first Pete I ever bought, and the next one and the one after that. If I ever paid full price for one that was screwed up then I would stop buying them. It would be insane to continue to purchase a product that I was dissatisfied with. I have had at-length discussions with other Pete Geeks about the new Peterson blasts, and one said the same thing as you regarding Dunhills. It's true that many of the old Dunhills were misshapen and had strange blasts. I have quite a few like that; in fact, a 1928 LB and a 1924 56 just arrived this week that fit that description. But there is something much different between the old Dunhills and some of the new blasted Petersons - the old Dunhills look 'lovable' while the Petersons just look cheap. Personally I think it is that Peterson has been blasting briar blocks that had very little potential - there is no evenness or character to most of them. Compare the Barley spigots to the Rua spigots, and I think what I'm claiming might make sense. These Rua spigots are very different from other releases of blasted pipes - Giacomo Penzo oversaw the project and most of them were very nice ring grains. Those that were not so great, and a little out of shape, still had a little of that old craggy Dunhill character. But that's all just my opinion.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2022 12:00:16 GMT -5
I suggest that you stop buying them. The 'Pete Bashing' thing that is part of every Pipe forum, is really perplexing. I understand the complaints about some new Petes, but there's even at least one 'Pete Bashing' thread in another forum, regarding the new Rua Spigots, which was one of the most exciting and positive 'drops' I've seen from Peterson, ever. It really indicated to me that Peterson was intent on up'ing their game. But what's really perplexing is that people who don't want one, want to talk about them so much. I don't think much of Savinellis, but I can't imagine starting a 'Sav Bashing' thread, if for no other reason than that I know a lot of my friends buy and love them. So I love your suggestion, but I would add: "Don't even look at them." Pointing out and detailing on deficiencies is not bashing, mate, if it's substantiated. All the criticism against the brand, which has been made very public and is highlighting the same issues over and over again, did not seem to have incitated Peterson to improve on much of anything from what I've gathered from my purchases over the last 15 years or so. They've held on a steady course. People who say they love the brand have only said, for the most part: I love the brand, or, they work for me. It's not much of an explanation in the brand's defence. As you personally own 166 Peterson, I would love to hear your take on the brand.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2022 14:41:10 GMT -5
The 'Pete Bashing' thing that is part of every Pipe forum, is really perplexing. I understand the complaints about some new Petes, but there's even at least one 'Pete Bashing' thread in another forum, regarding the new Rua Spigots, which was one of the most exciting and positive 'drops' I've seen from Peterson, ever. It really indicated to me that Peterson was intent on up'ing their game. But what's really perplexing is that people who don't want one, want to talk about them so much. I don't think much of Savinellis, but I can't imagine starting a 'Sav Bashing' thread, if for no other reason than that I know a lot of my friends buy and love them. So I love your suggestion, but I would add: "Don't even look at them." Pointing out and detailing on deficiencies is not bashing, mate, if it's substantiated. All the criticism against the brand, which has been made very public and is highlighting the same issues over and over again, did not seem to have incitated Peterson to improve on much of anything from what I've gathered from my purchases over the last 15 years or so. They've held on a steady course. People who say they love the brand have only said, for the most part: I love the brand, or, they work for me. It's not much of an explanation in the brand's defence. As you personally own 166 Peterson, I would love to hear your take on the brand. Read my post or don't bother quoting me. Bye.
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