Churchwardens... Awesome? Or Too Silly for Public?

[baronchatdelamort]

Ok, I've always loved churchwardens, and I've been in the market for my first non Japanese, non cheap-o, traditional tobacco pipe.

So here are my questions:

1) would a macqueen wizard be a good starter pipe?

Or:

2) Would the LOTR resemblance make this pipe too silly to be more than just a renn fair accessory/home pipe? I'm already pretty used to longer pipes since my kiseru is about 7 inches, I've heard good reviews on this pipe and manufacturer...

So, what it really comes down to is; what you veteran pipers think about it?

Edit: Fixed the Title, helped with your post, and moved thread to Pipe Talk. L

 

[riptide]

I haven't heard any thing bad About MacQueen pipes Except that he can be a little slow shipping out. as for the style I say go for it If you like it It does not matter what others think as long as your enjoying it. But I do find churchwardens to be a little unwieldy in public they are more for sitting back and enjoying.

 

[aussielass]

No way would I smoke any of mine in public. Pipe smoking seems to garner enough attention as it is (here people gather around in an embarrassing circle and want to chat to you about it) without attracting even more of them. Bad enough with one so small they can't see it in the hand, let alone a unique c/warden. I got the irrits last time because the teeny bopper bimbos stood back giggling and laughing whilst the young guys engaged in absolute stupidity trying to impress. Also I think the whole Harry Potter done to death thing makes it kinda corny emulating in public, but that's just my self-conscious thoughts on the matter.

 

[tobakenist]

I have 2 Churchwardens in my collection, they both give a cool smoke and are a great way to actually smell the tobacco that you are smoking, could never smoke them in public, havn't got big enough pockets to carry them in. I suppose I could get one of those pipe holsters, be a bit like carrying a sword though, don't want to get arrested for carrying a dangerous weapon.

 

[buckeye]

i have a wizard.they come with a nice case so you can carry it.going to smoke mine in

public just because you guys won`t.lol

 

[flipflopsandshades]

Churchwardens are great! I have 3 and I would have no problem smoking them in public.

 

[rigmedic1]

If one is self conscious, I think it should be avoided like the plaque. Churchwarden pipes are too unwieldy for me to use in public. I get enough attention as it is. Of course, there is nothing better to bring to the RenFair, lol.

 

[ichbinmuede]

They definitely have their advantages. I find that a tobacco can change in character between your average length pipe and a churchwarden. They do command your attention so they're no good for if you plan to do anything but smoke your pipe and look like an erudite son of a gun doing it, but that shouldn't be a problem since you probably wouldn't have picked up your churchwarden if that were the case.
If you like that churchwarden there's no reason it shouldn't be your first pipe. One suggestion I would make though is maybe pick up a MM cob or two so it isn't your only pipe. For the sake of your pipe and for the sake of variety. ::
Oh and I'd say smoking it in public is fine so long as you don't care if you're looked at, have questions asked of you, possible jeers, or compliments directed at you. So long as you don't mind being a slight spectacle you should be A-OK. Nothing wrong at all it's just not something people see every day.

 

[bigvan]

Personally I don't think I'd choose a churchwarden as a first pipe for the reasons already expressed (slightly cumbersome, not quite portable, the need for special pipe cleaners, etc.)
As for Macqueen pipes, I have one and it's more of a "prop" than a "real" pipe. I know they're a site sponsor and many people enjoy them, but for me they lack a certain degree of workmanship.
The Hans Christian Anderson pipe from Stanwell comes with two stems; one normal and one churchwarden. Something like this might be the solution you're looking for.

 

[pipeinhand]

I may jump in on this. :lol:
They are IMHO, the most relaxing, best looking, and coolest smoking (as in heat) pipes there is. I have a growing collection of them, now 8 and my MacQueen is on the way.
YES, smoke them everywhere. You smoke a pipe, you should smoke whatever strikes you to smoke. Any pipe now days is a look getter, but a church will give you second looks, and that may lead to a question, and that may lead to a new pipe smoker. Puff away. ::

 

[buckeye]

here are some mcqueens on ebay

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LOTR-Briar-Longstem-Chruchwarden-Wizard-Pipe-MacQueen-/170722992165?_trksid=p4340.m1374&_trkparms=algo%3DPI.WATCH%26its%3DC%252BS%26itu%3DUCC%26otn%3D15%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D4492918940973970492

 

[recoilrob]

I have a nice collection of CW's, some very old Dunhill's, some Dunhills from the 90's and other English makers. I also one made or me by my friend Rolando Negoita, another from Joe Skoda, both members of the Hudson Valley club.
They are great, cool smokes, relaxing when sitting and reading, easy to light, my favorite pipes to smoke.
Having said that they, along with other great smoking pipes like Calabashes and carved meerschaums or long stem clays, are pipes that do not lend themselves to smoking in public. I have no qualms about lighting them up in a group of other pipe smokers but in front of the general public they would be more trouble than they are worth. I don't need to be thought of as more eccentric than I already am...

 

[lordofthepiperings]

As mentioned before, smoke what you like. Though I would say a churchwarden might be a little difficult to smoke walking around town. Usually the long stem lends towards a nice relaxing sit down smoke. A nice dinner at an outdoor resturant in the spring or early fall might be a good place in public for a warden, provided they'd let you smoke there.

 

[undecagon]

As for Macqueen pipes, I have one and it's more of a "prop" than a "real" pipe. I know they're a site sponsor

Did not realize they were a site sponsor. I apologize for past and will refrain from future comments regarding my thoughts on the company.

 

[buckeye]

Think i will go downtown and smoke my church warden and light it up with my AK-47 lighter.

think people will stare.

 

[pipeinhand]

Buckeye, not in Ohio.
born and raised in lucas county!

 

[shaintiques]

Awesome! But you want to be careful travleing just bcause they don't fit in your standard pipe bag and you sure don't want a break or loss of such a fabulous pipe. Mine is a Peterson racing green and iI love it and would definitely smoke it in public. Actualy you have inspired me to bring it to pipe club this week and smoke it.

 

[marmal4de]

I'd call it over the top, rather than silly.

 

[billinsfl]

Churchwardens were often referred to as "Library Pipes" in the old days because there is no better pipe to use while sitting in an armed chair, reading a book. Try it some time!
As for smoking a churchwarden in public, some may find certain types of women actually think smoking such a pipe is pretty cool; you may be surprised at the results! Give it a go!

 

[philip]

There are no silly pipes; only silly smokers. Do what makes you comfortable.
I smoke my smaller pipes in public only because I can carry them around in my pocket.