Who's Still Enjoying Churchwardens?

[BriaronBoerum]

It seems the churchwarden craze has fallen off a lot since the LoTR days. I finally got a full sized Stanwell Hans Christian Anderson from the recent P & C sale, and at least the first smoke was highly enjoyable, because the length kept the smoke out of my face (outdoor smoker only).

But I think my ideal length is more the demi-churchwarden shape: my Savinelli Clark's Favorite is one of my best smokers. Does anyone else keep a churchwarden in their rotation, or are they mostly sitting on shelves? Any favorites?

 

[FLDRD]

It seems the churchwarden craze has fallen off a lot since the LoTR days. I finally got a full sized Stanwell Hans Christian Anderson from the recent P & C sale, and at least the first smoke was highly enjoyable, because the length kept the smoke out of my face (outdoor smoker only).

But I think my ideal length is more the demi-churchwarden shape: my Savinelli Clark's Favorite is one of my best smokers. Does anyone else keep a churchwarden in their rotation, or are they mostly sitting on shelves? Any favorites?

I have 3 sitting in a churchwarden holder for 4...
I haven't used them in a looooong time; and 1 is an excellent smoker.
I'm usually walking around outdoors in the evening when I grab a pipe and they just aren't for that.
Maybe in another decade or so when I'm looking to retirement time, I'll be using them if I'm sitting more.
To be determined.

 

[BingBong]

Cheap Chinese version, very seldom smoked. Cherry wood rather than briar? A hot smoker.

I'd like one of those Peterson demis, shape 405, but they're for US only. Carroll of Carrollton, I was searching for the name, 2023 or 2024 editions.

 

[Spring-Loaded]

I enjoy the ones I have now and again (still enjoy Lord of the Rings too!). That Stanwell pipe is gorgeous and I’ve been tempted by it. Also looking for a Ginger’s favorite. I still have a few on my list, but I don’t smoke them as often because I’m a bit of a clincher.
I have a black rusticated Savinelli, and a cob with a long stem from Vermont Freehand.

 

[NookersTheCat]

The craze definitely hasn't for me... My absolute favorite pipe type!
I must have at least half a dozen or more all from various makers... Boswell, MacQueen, Vauen, Rattray's, Miss. Meer., etc.

My biggest regret is a small maker out of the pacific northwest... Flogglewerks...
Meant to buy like a half dozen of his alone but he seems to have fallen off the map a couple years ago :/
Was actually thinking of putting up a wanted add here for any of them....

For my money though, there's nothing that gives a cooler more comforting smoke. It's just physics, really...
I'd say I smoke my wardens at least half my smokes even though they only make up maybe 1/4 or less of my collection... But I am admittedly not a very on-the-go smoker. I can see more of the argument against them for that.

 

[NookersTheCat]

I enjoy the ones I have now and again (still enjoy Lord of the Rings too!). That Stanwell pipe is gorgeous and I’ve been tempted by it. Also looking for a Ginger’s favorite. I still have a few on my list, but I don’t smoke them as often because I’m a bit of a clincher.
I have a black rusticated Savinelli, and a cob with a long stem from Vermont Freehand.View attachment 427347

Beautiful!!!
Who is the blade from??
It's wild that VF actually put the Sav logo in the stem.. now that's quality! Love it!!

 

[Brad H]

Churchwardens are among my favorite pipes.
They break easier with the longer stems though, so I have gone through quite a few.

 

[georged]

Here's a home-brewed one.

An old BBB had a nice stummel but hideous stem, so off to the shop it went.

Smokes great.

 

[RL Bucktails]

I enjoy the ones I have now and again (still enjoy Lord of the Rings too!). That Stanwell pipe is gorgeous and I’ve been tempted by it. Also looking for a Ginger’s favorite. I still have a few on my list, but I don’t smoke them as often because I’m a bit of a clincher.
I have a black rusticated Savinelli, and a cob with a long stem from Vermont Freehand.View attachment 427347

The SavinellI church wardens are good looking pipes. Looking to get a black rusticated 401.

 

[smokenscotch]

I adore my Peterson Churchwarden (D6), smokes wonderfully and is so comfortable whilst reading. Some of my favourite pipe moments in the past were Irish Flake in my Churchwarden.

 

[Spring-Loaded]

Beautiful!!!
Who is the blade from??
It's wild that VF actually put the Sav logo in the stem.. now that's quality! Love it!!

The cob with the VF stem is not pictured. The one in the picture is a Savinelli. The knife is a Morakniv Classic No 2.

 

[OzPiper]

Here's a home-brewed one.

An old BBB had a nice stummel but hideous stem, so off to the shop it went.

Smokes great.


View attachment 427355
View attachment 427356

@georged
Didn’t you make a shorter bent stem for this pipe sometime back ?

 

[username]

Only churchwarden I have is a elf cobbit. It gets smoked semi regularly

 

[georged]

@georged
Didn’t you make a shorter bent stem for this pipe sometime back ?

Not this one. (Not a bad idea, though)

 

[OzPiper]

@georged
This might have been it then.

I liked your new stem so much I borrowed the idea and got this Demi-warden Stanwell re-stemmed

 

[Brad H]

 

[Kobold]

I have four and I love them. I probably smoke my Boswell churchwarden the most out of all of them.

 

[telescopes]

It seems the churchwarden craze has fallen off a lot since the LoTR days.

You must be a young man. I've smoked them since the 80s. Perspective is context, obviously, LOL. But glad you are enjoying them.

 

[Indygrap]

I have a Boswell but it doesn’t get as much use as it should. It took me a while to find a blend that I enjoy in it. Turns out, it’s aromatics, which I don’t smoke often. I might try experimenting with it again though.

 

[BriaronBoerum]

You must be a young man. I've smoked them since the 80s. Perspective is context, obviously, LOL. But glad you are enjoying them.

Not so young, just new to the pipe!