Around the turn of the last century to be accurate. It's obvious that hot, wet smokes and tongue bite are nothing new. Accordingly Peterson developed their patent pipe designed to solve this problem. How does it work? Here's the diagram you've probably seen...
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What do you see? a tapered bowl connected by a draught hole to a smaller tapered compartment below a tapered shank for a full curved stem, leading to the mouthpiece and button hole. Note that the bowl air hole and the shank/stem air hole are not aligned.
The notion is this, the smoke from the draw transits the usual small air hole from the bowl to the small expansion chamber. The smoke "expands" and the moisture condenses and pools at the bottom of the expansion chamber. Allegedly the now cool, dry smoke then continues up the shank and stem to the mouthpiece.
At the mouthpiece is yet another of Peterson's patents: the "P-lip": this is nothing more than a hole directed upward, away from the tongue, ergo, less bite.
But how accurate is this depiction? Not very.
Here are two actual cutaway Pete's (one of which was sold on eBay, btw).
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And...
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Now what do you see? The tobacco bowl remains a nice smooth taper. The initial air hole passes to the chamber, but what has happened here? Not the smooth tapered expansion chamber of the drawing, but showing multiple and wandering drill holes, topped by a sharp edge. Why does this matter? There are actually some problems with the Pete system:
1. It's hard to clean. Finding the air hole that connects the expansion chamber to bowl can be testy. It takes extra work to clean the "edge" at the top of the expansion chamber, and the whole of the wandering chamber.
2. The Peterson draw has been criticized as restricted. This is because the exit hole at the mouthpiece is not a slot, but a rather small hole, which directs a smaller, focused stream of smoke upward.
3. Almost all Pete's, including the System pipes do NOT use filters. Their whole premise is based on the expansion chamber.
Now let's look at the Savinelli system...
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It is clear that Savinelli decided to avoid just cloning the Pete system; indeed, they studied and tested the matter for several years. Here are the improvements:
1. Although the same notions (an expansion chamber) are carried out, the Savinelli expansion chamber is truly a very smooth taper: no wandering, smooth rounded bottom, no edges. Easy to clean.
2. The have added the ability (and intention) to use triangular balsa absorbant inserts (intended to last for about three or so smokes). The smoke is forced to follow the balsa insert up the stem. These are NOT filters in the traditional sense, as the smoke passes around them (not through them).
Yet while they do absorb tars and nicotine, another important function is that the porous balsa proved to absorb heat.
3. For those who do not wish to use the filters, but to also avoid the increased draw caused by their absence, Savinelli includes a drilled plastic insert which reduces the draw. For those who want maximum draw, it can be used with neither the balso filters, nor the insert.
4. At the mouthpiece, the smoke is still directed upward away from the tongue, but this time through a more typical rectangular slot (not a hole) which further spreads the smoke and avoids Pete's "P-lip" restriction.
5. Further, the mouthpiece button/lip is nice and wide, easy to clench and with lips prominent enough for all smokers (with or without dentures).
Last, there is some consensus that Savinelli's - while not the most artistic, are very classic in shape and are known for their fine briar and reliable smokability. I've had my first smoke with the Sav - with plastic insert - stayed lit, easy draw, easy clench, and so far at least, seems to live up to its design objectives.
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http://www.tobaccopipes.com/Convertible/"According to tests by the EURATOM Research Center of Ispra, Italy and by Chemical & Environmental Technology Inc. Research Center in Cary, North Carolina, the filter has the ability to absorb up to 77% of the nicotine and 91% of the tar contained in the pipe tobacco without altering the flavor. This makes the Savinelli Convertible Balsa System ideal for those who wish to cut down on their nicotine or tar intake without sacrificing the flavor and enjoyment of pipe smoking."
http://www.wesleys.co.za/archive295.htmlThe Savinelli Dry System design evolved over many years (it took 4 years for Savinelli to develop the mouthpiece alone), and much thought went into it: including in-depth research into the negative points of existing system pipes, in order to improve on them; considering the balance (only certain shapes would be suitable); the technical side (taking into account the engineering possibilities); the materials for mouthpiece and band; the aesthetics.
Their research resulted in 3 important refinements –
1. the smokehole in the mouthpiece was made rectangular allowing the smoke to fan out as it entered the mouth improving the taste experience (activating a wide spread of tastebuds);
2. they introduced the balsa insert to mop up excess moisture, preventing an accumulation in the moisture trap;
3. they changed the mouthpiece from a tapered fitting to a peg fitting which does not twist off in the pocket or pouch, causing a nasty mess."
