Churchwarden Pipes. What's the Point?

[foggymountain]

Before I lost 50 lbs I could sit in my chair, churchwarden on my stomach, stem in mouth, with no need for hands or teeth. They are also good for late in the day when you have smoked too much but want one more. The long stem makes it cooler & milder.

 

[jerwynn]

The Church Warden has its origins in the thousand year old Chinese wu-shu weaponry catalog. It's first purpose was as an extremely effective (in the right hands) lethal concealed weapon, which incidently could be used to smoke certain relaxing traditional Chinese herbals. A fine specimen was brought back by Marco Polo's father confessor and shown off in the Papal court of Gregory X of the period as a great way to enjoy oregano, basil, and sage blends. Hence "church warden".
For me, it's all about grain. Here's a few pix of my one and only "custode della chiesa"... modern day Vauen CW. (Hopefully I don't screw up image inserting... again.) This pipe is a great smoker AND a delight just to admire and handle!
http://pipesmagazine.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/album/3859/vauen-church-warden-600x312.jpg

[img]http://pipesmagazine.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/album/3859/vauen-church-warden-grain-a-600x494.jpg

[img]http://pipesmagazine.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/album/3859/vauen-church-warden-grain-b-600x506.jpg

[img]http://pipesmagazine.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/album/3859/vauen-church-warden-grain-c-449x600.jpg

 

[jerwynn]

Dmn! Screwed up the pix again! Tried from the my forum album. Shoot.

 

[jerwynn]

test

 

[jerwynn]

Terribly sorry for my technical ineptitude everyone. jeez.

 

[1adsarge]

I just received an unsmoked 11" Rigoletto churchwarden. I will be firing it up tonight while drinking some Captain Morgan. I am a big scifi/fantasy nerd so I always thought they were cool.
Cheers,

Jared