Best Churchwardens?

[sparrowhawk]

Who would have the best selection of sandblasted churchwardens? For that matter, is there any particular marque that has a healthy variety of churches? I'm planning on getting a sandblasted black HCA, but I want to know about what is available.3

 

[Chasing Embers]

I would say Vauen's Auenland line.

 

[npod]

Savenelli https://www.smokingpipes.com/search/main-search.cfm
Also try:

Peterson

Neerup

 

[carolinachurchwarden]

+1 on the Vauens. I'd really like to get one someday. Might not be smoked regularly, but maybe once in a while when I'm feeling all Lord of the Ringsy.
The Neerups look really nice and aren't really badly priced either. I have no idea how the smoke, however.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I love my Northern Briars Screamwarden, with Munch's Scream in the brindle of the stem. I am fairly sure that Ian didn't intentionally put it there. It just sort of spookily appeared. This was a Christmas gift from my wife years ago.
That said, I do love the pipe, but I don't smoke it very often. Just on movie nights when I can spare a couple of hours of holding a pipe.

Do you see it?

 

[scloyd]

Yep, I see it. Cool!

 

[jpmcwjr]

That is neat as hell. Gorgeous pipe, too.

 

[canadianpuffer]

So it depends on what you want. I’ve got 4 HCA which I like a lot, one of the was NOS from smoking pipes when they got them, an acorn. Useful because they come with two stems. The vauen is great, I have the friddo - but it doesn’t seem to get smoked that much due to the 9mm filter. I also have a few Ropp and Big Ben. Honestly the Roop Balzac ones I have are great and low cost and in different shapes from egg to cutty. The Big Ben while still lower cost have slightly nicer wood. I would say check them all out and see what appeals the most. If you don’t like the look you will not reach for it. Especially if it’s a warden which can be a pain.

 

[Chasing Embers]

but it doesn’t seem to get smoked that much due to the 9mm filter

You can smoke them without the filter or use an adapter. I have the Friddo, Hugg, and Doran.

 

[sparrowhawk]

Thanks for the tips, gents. I will check these out after I get the HCA (which will be awhile).

 

[mso489]

I like my Savinelli 601 fully arched churchwarden a lot. I think it is rusticated, but it is black and has a good sized bowl but is relatively light weight.

 

[bluegrasspipe]

I have the Friddo, Hugg, and Doran.

I have the Gilg, and it is an awesome smoker for when I'm in a churchwarden mood.
Here is another thread for some Auenland pipes.