Peterson Freehand

chevy5759 · Oct 24, 2010

When it arrives, I'll give it a run for its money and let you know how it smokes.

Anonymous · Oct 24, 2010

chevy5759":qv645055 said:
When it arrives, I'll give it a run for its money and let you know how it smokes.

Would be cool, thanks!

beebiz · Oct 24, 2010

Piet Binsbergen":2p76qwr0 said:
chevy5759":2p76qwr0 said:

When it arrives, I'll give it a run for its money and let you know how it smokes.

Click to expand...

Would be cool, thanks!

Ditto!!!

Prof · Nov 11, 2010

All -

Should I then assume that if I have an "ebony" finish on a Peterson, that it probably has more putty than briar? I have a Cara series hanger that I purchased new recently (that tasted like *** until I ran 5or6 ounces of Everclear through it, by the by) - and it has a silver band with the hallmarks - but this isn't considered a "silver mount", right?

What is the quality used for the collections, like the Sherlock or the Twain or castle series? Surely the specials aren;t filled that much, or am I kidding myself?

B

Anonymous · Nov 12, 2010

Prof":7g2sii81 said:
All -

Should I then assume that if I have an "ebony" finish on a Peterson, that it probably has more putty than briar? I have a Cara series hanger that I purchased new recently (that tasted like *** until I ran 5or6 ounces of Everclear through it, by the by) - and it has a silver band with the hallmarks - but this isn't considered a "silver mount", right?

What is the quality used for the collections, like the Sherlock or the Twain or castle series? Surely the specials aren;t filled that much, or am I kidding myself?

B

Prof,
There has been huge speculation about the quality of entry level, mid range Pete's, as a matter of fact most other factory pipes of late.
The higher end stuff like the Sherlock's you mentioned still hold their own IMHO, Just got the 2010 poy in and it rocks.
Cheaper pipes including Savinelli mid ranges are full of putty. This is not uncommon and needs to be accepted for what it is. The reason it tastes like *** is that they use a deep stain and a high gloss finish on the bowls to hide the fills. Some of that chit often gets into the bowls, tastes real bitter at first.
You are right this is not what they call a silver mount unfortunately, my guess it may be pewter.
Twains and Sherlocks etc, are made from better quality briar and are for the most part fill free, BUT, Muddler is a huge Pete collector, he has high ends with putty, very little tho. His 2010 poy is smooth and has a small putty fill on the shank. I got the rustic version @ $60 cheaper, here I have no fills obviously!
This said, Pete's are solid, pound for pound they have a lot less fills than most other factory pipes out there. This should not detract from the smoking qualities at all!
I have a Savinelli Pisa Bulldog which is the equivalent in std to the Pete you have. I smoke more putty than wood there and as the pipe darkens the putty spots become more apparent which looks really chit!!
BUT, it is one of my best VA Flake smokers to date.
The debate rages on. When you pay $250-00 plus for a pipe and it is full of putty, you have reason to be pissed.
IMHO, I have since given up on this. If I invest in a Mid range pipe, I make sure I get a rusticated or blasted one!
Here I never need to worry about fills, and trust me with mid range priced pipes you will get them!!!

More and more folk here are investing in one man show pipe makers.
For one SAS is making some really snazy pipes at really good prices, He will not sell you a pipe with putty.
Most factories need to get a bang for their buck and get high manufacture turn over. They simply cannot afford to toss half their briar supply due to quality and thus offer them with fills at a cheaper price!

Good luck bro, happy smokes!

Prof · Nov 14, 2010

Hey, thanks for the explanation - this was very helpful...

Seems that this is a really good argument for clean estate pipes; I love a beautiful smooth pipe - and several of my first old ones (a Digby and a pipe marked "Edward's Virgin" and "France" on the shank) both have huge wood putty fills in them - but I can see what they are, and know that they are filled and paid accordingly - two of my best smokers too. One of the reasons I was not aware of the Peterson dye is because my collection (not really huge ~ 26 or so pipes) all but two are estate pipes...and therefore not only do I avoid the break in problem,usually - but I am also able to get some very decent old briar without fills...I would rather I could see the natural pits then realize that one of my new expensive pipes has a spot of fills, however small.

My old Preben is a beauty, and I tend to lean to plateaus because of the beauty of the free forms - but I also have recently come to appreciate the classic form of the Peterson hanger...I will just need to find a dealer who will go over the pipes with a fine tooth comb for me prior to purchase - or I will be one of those pissed off with fills in my $250.00 pipe...

Thanks again Piet -

B