Okay, I'm going to return to this for a moment, for some continuity, with GOOD news...
Thurston, the Pete 80S in question, in all (her?) beauty. I did a few things.
* I let it sit for a while. Not to dry, but to just...walk away. Sometimes one has to walk away from a project for a moment to get perspective via something else. It's been a couple of months.
* I changed my smoking style. One thing I discovered is that even if I smoke slowly, I am still drawing a little to long on this particular pipe--it's generating too much heat. This was something I did subconsciously, not purposefully, and managed to key in on. I observed this pipe was "on the verge of going out" and many times--did. This presented me with a unique perspective when I re-lit: good performance. Some pipes are more forgiving of a varying speed of smoking (via conversing, being too nervous for whatever reason, socializing, being rushed) but Thurston? Think of an automatic vehicle, in gear, but foot off the gas...slow rolling forward. 5MPH rather than the normal 10 - 15. Stupid vehicle analogies. Maybe my time away readjusted my approach. Who knows. Pipes are different, and in many snapshot instances, so am I.
* I got rid of the Softy Bit. I like these additions on large pipes, they really help keep the stupid thing in my jaw, but on an 80S? I think I was more worried about "protecting" the stem, which is silly--I admit. I don't put Softy Bits on everything, and even less now. Maybe it caused me to clench/hold the pipe differently, and less moisture was traveling into the stem without the Softy. I prefer to keep the button above the "spit line" in the mouth--gross, but it's the best way to describe it.
* I realize certain tobacco cuts do better in this pipe. Union Square has been utterly, wonderfully delicious in this pipe. It's been dry, and the briar is sweet and delicious. Thicker flake cuts or chunky stuff does great in my Ben Wade, Kirk Bosi, Jirsa Blowfish...all with different bowl configurations--but not Thurston. Flat, ribbon-like, and wider cuts (ala Pease Virginia stuff) packed just-so, just works.
SO. I'm getting it.
I am enjoying the hell out of my first Pete, and I'm really glad.
8)
As for size, ALL of my 999's, 150s, and 80s are all what one could call a grp.3/4 in size and as far as quantity of 'bac each holds. As for smoking, they all are basically the same for me - GREAT with the Pre-Republics being what I would call a bit "sweeter/smoother" but then they are much older briar. And I have NEVER had a problem with stain inside the bowls or missdrilling etc.though I do understand the factory was having some problems with that a few years ago. Thats basically my experience with Petes for whatever it's worth :twisted:
