------------------
------------------
-----------------
Hey guys,
Just thought I would introduce myself!
My names Pete, I'm from the UK, and I've finally took the plunge and started smoking a pipe, I thought id find a place to mingle with the more experienced, since no one in my life smokes a pipe.
So being a big Tolkien geek and having watched The Lord of the Rings 1 too many times, I wanted to get my hands on a nice Churchwarden pipe, and was wondering if anyone could point me in a good direction.
Try Ebay, or one of the this sites sponsors. Welcome to the forum:)
One cannot simply watch LOTR "1 too many times"
Can't say I'd recommend a churchwarden for someone just starting out smoking a pipe. The length of a churchwarden makes it more difficult to see what you're doing...lighting, tamping, waving the thing around like you're actually a wizard...etc.
But far be it from me to tell you what is best for you. I say look through the site sponsors and search for churchwardens and see what you like. Go with a Savenielli, or a Peterson, whatever catches your fancy. The site sponsors really carry some great stuff and they're just a call away.
I got mine from Cup O Joes. They were the only ones who had this wicked green pete that I couldn't resist. Smokes hot and will burn off your fingerprints so you can become the ultimate spy. But I love her regardless.
Welcome to PM Forums, Yountoby!
The Stanwell Hans Christian Anderson series is nice because it comes with two interchangeable stems -- a churchwarden length and a "normal" length stem -- about US$100-$150 at a couple of our PM sponsors such as this one: http://www.milantobacco.com/stanwell_pipes.htm
A Savinelli Clark's Favorite, I think is nice, because being much longer than the standard pipe, but a tad shorter than the churchwarden, many think it's the best of both worlds -- about US$90-$100 at a couple of our PM sponsors such as this one: http://www.milantobacco.com/savinelli_clarks_favorite_rustic_pipes.htm
Either of these pipes IMO are high quality and will be a treasure that will last for many years. My suggestion is to stay away from the cheaper churchwardens that are cropping up more and more now to take advantage of the renewed popularity of The Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit.
Oh and if you do decide to pull the trigger on a churchwarden, be sure to grab at least a few bundles of churchwarden pipe cleaners -- the regular length pipe cleaners aren't long enough.
Welcome. Whereabouts in UK are you? Do you have a B&M local?
Awesome , thanks for the warm welcome guys! already alot of information, definately gonna start prowling the sponser sites. Lovely pipe Spartan! Not seen green ones like that before :D.
I'm based in the South East of London Kris, and forgive my Ignorance but I've not heard of a B&M before, gonna google it now and see if I do have a local, they do pipes etc then?
Thanks again!
Beware of the painted and/or heavily sealed pipes -- they often burn hot and thus sort of defeat the purpose of a churchwarden which is intended to be a long cool smoke.
welcome toby! FYI, a B&M is a brick and mortar, an actual tobacco shop. i can't give you much input on a churchwarden other then they look cool haha. good luck with your search.
since youre a lord if the rings fan check out macqueen churchwardens
Welcome youngtoby. I was first drawn to the churchwarden pipes when I first started too even though I've never seen LOTR. But I love early American History, Revolutionary War type-stuff, so the churchwarden appealed to me.
That said, you want to be careful. When it comes to 'el cheapo' pipes, the churchwarden reigns supreme. If you were to go on Amazon or ebay, you can find a lot of junk churchwardens.
If you can afford it, go for the better name brands: Peterson, Brebbia (makes a nice one too), Stanwell, Savinelli.
Good luck and let us know what you do.
will burn off your fingerprints so you can become the ultimate spy.
Savinelli Has some nice churchwardens. I've been wanting one for awhile
Welcome aboard, I'm a newbie too. Although I agree that a churchwarden might be a more novice than beginner pipe, there is no justifying personal tastes. So although I also agree with the previous suggested brands (all good established pipe makers). Here are a few more options (all three offer sub $50 pipes and are listed from highest to lowest price):
1 - http://www.finckcigarcompany.com/products/group/category/italian-churchwarden
Check out these handmade by old italian men pipes...chances are the quality is great.
2 - http://www.eacarey.com/churchwardens.html
Some of the cheapest (yet not novelty grade or offshore) churchwardens that I have found in my PAD scouring of the web. They guarantee they are of the highest quality too.
3 - http://www.walkerbriarworks.com/html/_forever__stems.html
Get a churchwarden length "forever stem" and MM corn cob pipe of your choice and make your own "cobwarden". Should be $35 or less and offer the best of economy and good smoke. What could look more rustic and Hobbit than your own cobwarden creation? I will probably do this myself and use a "Freehand", "General" or "MacArthur" model for it's big bowl. I think you can find custom stems elsewhere too. IF you do a cobwarden consider choosing one of the MM pipe models that features a hardwood plug as some people tend to smoke a churchwarden a little hot, being so far removed from the smoke. Most of the larger cobs have the hardware plug and it allows for better burnout resistance and longevity.
Just some outside the box options from a fellow newb (albeit a very well read one)...
Chakaraka, great suggestions!
I especially like the Walker "forever stem" option. I like the 5th Avenue size better though.
Here's a craftsman modified DGE MM 5th Avenue Churchwarden with a hardwood shank and a vulcanite rubber stem for $30, plus shipping ($5.15 = US, $18.00 = EU):
http://www.etsy.com/listing/119729224/dge-mm-5th-avenue-churchwarden-pipe?ref=v1_other_2
I just ordered one from McQueen pipes in Ontario Canada, very reasonably priced and they're a sponsor of this site. This is what I ordered. http://macqueenpipes.com/productimages/Halfling1.jpg
Welcome to the forums, this is the place to be to get your answers.
Oh my.... I need to get me one of those babies!!!! That is beautiful!!
Thanks rothnh, I have done a ton of reading on the forums as well as a ton of "window shopping" online. So I guess I am learning. I actually like your option quite a bit (I had not yet browsed pipes on Etsy, only accessories). Hard to beat a long term smokable pipe for under $30. I actually just quickly came up with 3 MM examples, but for function, I think that a "natural" would be ideal because of it's cool dry reputation. Combine that with a nearly foot long stem and I am pretty sure you could smoke asphalt and still find it smooth.
brdavidson:
I just ordered one from McQueen pipes in Ontario Canada, very reasonably priced and they're a sponsor of this site. This is what I ordered. http://macqueenpipes.com/productimages/Halfling1.jpg
I too stumbled across those online. But I could not tell if it was a one piece pipe of if it came apart for maintenance. To me, not having many pipes or much experience, I relegated it to a "down the road" possibility. It is really kind on the eyes, but I thought it might be tricky for a newb to take care of.
To each his own, for sure. I have one of those "naturals" (if I understand you correctly, that's the finish that looks like they just popped the kernels out of the cob and dried it that way?) -- it's sit in the rack for more than 25 years, unsmoked -- I just can't get into how it feels in the hand LOL. But you make a good point: those "fins" may just channel out the heat a bit better.
I'm hoping to get a Savinelli either the Bing's Favorite or the Clark's Favorite. 
rothnh, yes the naturals are the ones that look like last night's leftoveres. "To each their own" indeed. I read a primer (buyers guide) on pipedia where the author was extolling the virtues of the naturals. He said that it felt great in his hand, cool and dry smoke etc. etc. Being a guy with mixed feeling about blasting let alone rustication, my aesthetics likely fall closer to yours. But yes from what I have read, the rougher and less finished the pipe, the better it sheds heat. So to a guy like me that likes the look of a smooth finish, I can begin to appreciate how rustication may be a big benefit and something that grows on me. Hey initially I though bent stems were the only way to go, then I smoked one and thought "how nice would it be to be able to pass my pipe cleaner from button to bowl if I need to". Next thing you know, I buy my 2nd, 3rd and 4th pipe, the briar is a bent smooth polished but the other two are straight MM cobs. In about a month my tastes show signs of evolution, god knows what it will be like many years down the road.
fitzy, one of the Clark's caught my eye too. But the Bing's is looking interesting too now that the Canadian/Poker/Lovat type shape is beginning to grow on me...
I'll second the Stanwell Hans Christian Anderson series - that will provide two mouthpiece options to experiment with.
Welcome to the forum. I would suggest buying the best pipe you can afford. If it is a high quality pipe, it will add to your enjoyment and it will last for years. Let us which one you decide on.
MacQueen pipes stem is removable for cleaning.
ohiopuffer, thanks for clearing that up. I sort of figured it must be, but in the photo I could not tell. That might make it a contender for me one day then. Very unique, cool looking pipe.
one of the Clark's caught my eye too. But the Bing's is looking interesting too now that the Canadian/Poker/Lovat type shape is beginning to grow on me...
I've got a Bing's Favorite and I do enjoy it. The Clark's is a bit longer length. If I were just starting out, I'd be a bit concerned that this Churchwarden I'm obsessed about may be a fad for me; a Churchwarden may have me hitting it into things; I may change my opinion of it ...
The Stanwell Hans Christian Anderson series delivers both the Churchwarden and the second, normal length stem. Sounds like a win-win to me.
I just checked PipesandCigars a little while ago and it looked like they have some Churchwardens in stock.I have 3 myself and I love them.2 MacQueen and 1 Vauen.Even though it took forever to get one of my MacQueen pipes I still like them and they are the only ones I have found with a wood stem.
Welcome to the forum.
I would suggest buying the best pipe you can afford. If it is a high quality pipe, it will add to your enjoyment and it will last for years.
I completely agree.
Welcome to the forum! Read everything. Listen to the experienced folks here. Enjoy a great hobby!
I had a Stanwell but didn't like it. I suggest a Dunhill.
Mr. Brog (another Sponsor) makes pretty good smokers on the cheap You may wanna check him out, this one is pretty LOTR I think mr brog pear wood churchwarden
Junior Member of the Black Bloods[quote I suggest a Dunhill
.
Yeah,newbie. Go with that!
You must log in to post.
Back To Top | Back to Forum Home Page
Members Online Now
fitzy, cigrmaster, rothnh, chopsie, gwtwdbss, kcghost, numbersix, yaboofive, kashmir, samcoffeeman, eaglerico, phil22, boudreaux
| Pipe Manufacturer & Retailer Spotlight | Pipe News | Pipe of the Week | Pipe Smoking Thoughts | Put that in Your Pipe |
Wine | About
Us | Contact
Us | Links
| Privacy
Policy | Terms &
Conditions | Advertising
| Site Map |
| Join the Forum |
| Getting Published on PipesMagazine.com |
All Rights Reserved. Copyright © 2009 - 2013 Right Click Media, LLC
We use the SafeSurf Rating System to signify that PipesMagazine.com is for adults only
