What is a "system" pipe?

[Mister Entertainer]

This is such a stupid question I feel, but I consulted the Google Gods on it but I couldn't find any info on it. What is a system pipe? I see people talking about them, Peterson makes on apparently, at least that is one I hear it mentioned the most. Thanks.

[juni]

My Peterson has a small "compartment" in the bottom of the shank, this gathers up all the wetness and goo when you smoke the pipe so that the smoke is cool and moist-free. It actually works pretty well.

[juni]

..and since I just hit 30 posts, here is an image of it:

[Bear Graves]

[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]The System not only includes a moisture sump that lies inferior to the draft hole in the shank, the (usually, but not always) attendant p-lip bit is also constructed in a manner that the actual draw pressure is greatly reduced. The reduction in draw pressure doesn't interfere with plenty of smoke reaching the mouth, but it does lessen the tendency for moisture to travel up the bit, and that moisture falls into the sump.

As an aside, the p-lip is set in such a manner that the intake is elevated nicely above the tongue, making it tougher for saliva to gain entry into the bit, thus you contribute less of your moisture to the condensation that is being generated from the other end.

Personally, I don't find the p-lip very comfortable and tend to get my System pipes with the fishtail bit, but to each his own.

[eyesack]

This looks familiar:

[juni]

^

(I like the p-lip, it also keeps your tongue from getting bitten by spicy tobacco)

[MarkC]

One thing I like about pipes of a certain quality level is that you can just pipe clean 'em dry without taking them apart, saving wear and tear on the connection. It looks like the Peterson system totally defeats this.

[juni]

Usually Petersons also have the army stem (you can remove the stem while the pipe is hot).

[MarkC]

Do those army stems work well? I have zero experience with such things, and it just doesn't look like it would work too well. On the other hand, they've been making them forever, so I guess it must work well.

[juni]

The army stem is sort of wedge shaped where it goes into the shank. I never had to use any force at all when inserting the stem or any problems with it fitting tightly.

[MarkC]

Okay; I guess it's just normal for an ex-sailor to be suspicious of something called an army system...

[Funn]

Savinelli makes a system pipe thats just as good as the Peterson models.
Wellington is a lesser grade system known for a really large pipe.
I am a Peterson fanatic and own myriads of Systems as well as Peterson non Systems.

Funn

[Punkonjunk]

My big ben jade pipe's internals are just like that picture, I always wondered what that was called - great to know!
It honestly makes the pipe a million times better to smoke, and it never, ever, ever drinks. My other pipes always do, that one never has. It's an amazing pipe.

there is so much great information here, this is awesome!