Howdy!
So a few years ago I made a little pipe rack that will hold 4 pipes. I have had 3 pipes since I took up pipe smoking in 2017. That extra space has always bugged me a bit, but I’ve been pretty satisfied with my three pipes.
Now, my wife has indicated she may like to get me a pipe for Father’s Day. I like the idea because 1, who doesn’t like a new pipe? And 2, it’ll fill that slot in the rack. Problem is, I cannot figure out what I want.
My current pipes are a Savinelli series iii 626 bent apple, Savinelli series iii 404 Zulu, and a Peterson Irish made army 101 straight billiard. Years ago, I wanted a bent Peterson of some kind, probably an 03, because I really like the 101. Plus I have two straight(ish) pipes and one bent. Symmetry being so important, you know . I also like idea of the robustness of the army mount and a maybe a silver mount this time. I assumed I’d go all-in on a system spigot sandblasted (since all my pipes are smooth).
So, that’s the answer, right? Maybe, but let’s not under think this. A lot of Pete’s seem to have acrylic stems these days, and I have a slight preference for vulcanite. Many of the ones with vulcanite have p-lips, and now I’m not sure a p-lip on one out of only four pipes is a good idea as I’ve never tried one.
Additionally, I also tend towards a minimalistic aesthetic, which is why I really like the Savinelli series iii pipes. Plus I don’t really want to worry about babying an expensive pipe.
So now I’m debating between:
1) rusticated Savinelli Tre 626. +’s: I know I like the shape, it’s bent and a rough finish, no filter. -‘s: acrylic stem, not much different than I have
2) Peterson ashford 03. +’s: bent, silver army mount, I like the inlaid “P” on the stem, less expensive as there is an unsmoked estate on SPC right now. -‘s: acrylic stem, don’t love the brown stem color.
3) Peterson system spigot smooth 303. +’s: whole hog Pete experience, love the silver, bent, vulcanite stem. -‘s: p-lip, price
4) Peterson Irish made army 69. +’s: bent, army mount, less expensive, matches my current Pete. -‘s: acrylic stem (my Irish made army is vulcanite, they must’ve changed at some point), I don’t like the shape as much as the 03 (which does not appear to be part of this series.
5) Peterson cara sandblast 03. +’s: bent, silver band, I like the inlaid “P” on the stem, less expensive than a system spigot, vulcanite, fishtail. -‘s: not an army mount which makes the stem/shank seem pretty chunky. (There are also a couple other cara shapes I like that are straight(ish): the 6 and the 268).
So, after that verbal diarrhea, what would you do in my position? Should I rethink the entire approach? Too fixated on bent, vulcanite, army mount, silver?
Any input much appreciated!
So a few years ago I made a little pipe rack that will hold 4 pipes. I have had 3 pipes since I took up pipe smoking in 2017. That extra space has always bugged me a bit, but I’ve been pretty satisfied with my three pipes.
Now, my wife has indicated she may like to get me a pipe for Father’s Day. I like the idea because 1, who doesn’t like a new pipe? And 2, it’ll fill that slot in the rack. Problem is, I cannot figure out what I want.
My current pipes are a Savinelli series iii 626 bent apple, Savinelli series iii 404 Zulu, and a Peterson Irish made army 101 straight billiard. Years ago, I wanted a bent Peterson of some kind, probably an 03, because I really like the 101. Plus I have two straight(ish) pipes and one bent. Symmetry being so important, you know . I also like idea of the robustness of the army mount and a maybe a silver mount this time. I assumed I’d go all-in on a system spigot sandblasted (since all my pipes are smooth).
So, that’s the answer, right? Maybe, but let’s not under think this. A lot of Pete’s seem to have acrylic stems these days, and I have a slight preference for vulcanite. Many of the ones with vulcanite have p-lips, and now I’m not sure a p-lip on one out of only four pipes is a good idea as I’ve never tried one.
Additionally, I also tend towards a minimalistic aesthetic, which is why I really like the Savinelli series iii pipes. Plus I don’t really want to worry about babying an expensive pipe.
So now I’m debating between:
1) rusticated Savinelli Tre 626. +’s: I know I like the shape, it’s bent and a rough finish, no filter. -‘s: acrylic stem, not much different than I have
2) Peterson ashford 03. +’s: bent, silver army mount, I like the inlaid “P” on the stem, less expensive as there is an unsmoked estate on SPC right now. -‘s: acrylic stem, don’t love the brown stem color.
3) Peterson system spigot smooth 303. +’s: whole hog Pete experience, love the silver, bent, vulcanite stem. -‘s: p-lip, price
4) Peterson Irish made army 69. +’s: bent, army mount, less expensive, matches my current Pete. -‘s: acrylic stem (my Irish made army is vulcanite, they must’ve changed at some point), I don’t like the shape as much as the 03 (which does not appear to be part of this series.
5) Peterson cara sandblast 03. +’s: bent, silver band, I like the inlaid “P” on the stem, less expensive than a system spigot, vulcanite, fishtail. -‘s: not an army mount which makes the stem/shank seem pretty chunky. (There are also a couple other cara shapes I like that are straight(ish): the 6 and the 268).
So, after that verbal diarrhea, what would you do in my position? Should I rethink the entire approach? Too fixated on bent, vulcanite, army mount, silver?
Any input much appreciated!