Enlarged flu in new Peterson

[scottish steve]

I recently got a sandblasted Cara, which smoked lovely for the first 2 or 3 smokes, but during the 4th, right at the end of the bowl, there was a small cracking sound. The bowl itself is sound, but I've noticed the flu, which was actually significantly larger than my other pipes when new, is now about 40% enlarged, with a sort of seismic ridge on one side of it. This has resulted in a flu which is about twice as large as in any of my other briars. I tried it with a 1/3 fill a couple of days ago and the draw is very powerful, just a little bit wetter at the top of the shank but this doesn't reach the stem and there wasn't any ash drawn right at the very end, but it was a bit disappointing. Will update with more info as I smoke it.

[jwhite]

I recently got a sandblasted Cara, which smoked lovely for the first 2 or 3 smokes, but during the 4th, right at the end of the bowl, there was a small cracking sound. The bowl itself is sound, but I've noticed the flu, which was actually significantly larger than my other pipes when new, is now about 40% enlarged, with a sort of seismic ridge on one side of it. This has resulted in a flu which is about twice as large as in any of my other briars. I tried it with a 1/3 fill a couple of days ago and the draw is very powerful, just a little bit wetter at the top of the shank but this doesn't reach the stem and there wasn't any ash drawn right at the very end, but it was a bit disappointing. Will update with more info as I smoke it.

Its your call but I would exchange it, the vendor should accommodate you but if he doesn't Peterson will, I have found them to be very willing to address QC issues. The Briar has a flaw and it happens to be in a place that would defy most pre sales inspections. There was a minor fissure in the interior of the briar and it was exposed when drilled. Heat and moisture from smoking caused it to expand. At this point I wouldn't really put blame on wither the vendor or manufacturer as that can be pretty hard to catch, but it should be corrected.

[Greyfox]

Construction problem. Needs to be replaced. Notify Angela via an email at the Peterson site and she will tell you exactly what to do. Peterson customer service is second to none.

[scottish steve]

The chances of getting it replaced by the vendor are nil. The guy can't speak English and refused to order any tobacco for me, claiming he just gets what he's given and has no say in what stock his own shop sells. He also claimed he had no internet on his laptop when it was running QQ at the time! I'm loathe to send it all the way back to Eire. I'll give it a couple of more smokes and see how it performs, but will contact Peterson direct if its problematic. Its a bugger, but I'm pleased to know they care about their customers. So many companies don't give a damn after the initial sale.

[jwhite]

The chances of getting it replaced by the vendor are nil. The guy can't speak English and refused to order any tobacco for me, claiming he just gets what he's given and has no say in what stock his own shop sells. He also claimed he had no internet on his laptop when it was running QQ at the time! I'm loathe to send it all the way back to Eire. I'll give it a couple of more smokes and see how it performs, but will contact Peterson direct if its problematic. Its a bugger, but I'm pleased to know they care about their customers. So many companies don't give a damn after the initial sale.

I'd contact Peterson's anyway as it calls for a replacement as opposed to repairs they may respond to your description and some pics, especially considering your location. I'm not saying they definitely will do that but its worth asking, I think.

[Captain Pete]

Definitely, talk to Angela at Peterson's.

[scottish steve]

Well, wonders will never cease. The vendor replaced it! I asked a Chinese colleague to send me a text detailing the problem and after reading the text several times and looking at the pipe for several minutes against some of his other Caras side by side, it was utterly clear the flu was about 3 times larger than it should be, with a big crack down one side! I smoked it last night to see how bad it was and it was noticeably hotter and juicier- almost unpleasant. If he hadn't given me another I would definitely have sent it back to Peterson. So I got a shape 15 as below, but still with the rustic finish and had a half-bowl today before going to my new Chinese class. Its a classic small, light billiard; cool, dry smooth and well-balanced; no strain to hold in the mouth and didn't heat up very much at all, given the thin walls. I'm very happy.

[jwhite]

Glad that got worked out for you.:thumbup1: