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telescopes

Pipe Dreamer and Star Gazer
Looking at those Churchwarden prices at Stanwell H.C. Andersen Black Sandblast - https://www.pipesandcigars.com/product/stanwell-hc-andersen-black-sandblast/PSWHCA-BS-PF.html.

That is an even better price than I imagined. I never have had an issue in decades with P&C - some have - but regardless, had I not already owned that pipe - which goes for much more than the listed price on the site today, I would order it now. That particular model is one of the true classic Stanwell shapes for a Churchwarden and is recognizable by pipe sellers where ever I smoked it around the globe in various shops and pipe museums. It is a truly great shape. I might just order another one as a gift for either my brother or dad. Or maybe both.
 

Chasing Embers

Captain of the Black Frigate
Nov 12, 2014
45,238
119,148
Well, I guess I should know this, but @Chasing Embers, what on earth did P & C do to cause them to fall from grace in your estimation?
During the 2017 IPSD sale I was double charged for an order that I never received nor was reimbursed for.

Even prior to that, their customer service was near nonexistent and they lacked any packaging skills.
 

LeafErikson

Lifer
Dec 7, 2021
2,274
20,021
Oregon
Well, I guess I should know this, but @Chasing Embers, what on earth did P & C do to cause them to fall from grace in your estimation?
I returned a pipe to P&C and after months of off and on email correspondence, I finally gave them a call. After a bunch of time on hold, I was gruffly told that they would complete my return and return my money right away. A few months after that phone call (meaning not right away whatsoever) I finally received my refund. The entire process took about a year.
 

K.E. Powell

Part of the Furniture Now
Aug 20, 2022
605
2,251
37
West Virginia
I highly recommend Stanwell’s HCA churchwardens. They come with two stems and allow you to smoke either with a full sized stem or a shorter stem.
Seconded. And right now, Pipes and Cigars are selling their Stanwells for cheap. I just got a 2023 POTY and 25th Anniversary pipe and each were below the $70 mark. When it comes to good quality factory-made briar pipes that don't break the bank, Stanwell is tough to beat. The Hans Christian Anderson pipes give the best of both worlds, look good, smoke well, and should fit your price range.

edit: Just saw the OP already ordered a Ropp. They're also a fine choice!
 
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rectifythis

Might Stick Around
Sep 3, 2024
89
1,303
Arizona
I have one of these (apple), currently 50 bucks at P and C:


The stem is vulcanite, but for 50 bucks, I have been perfectly fine with this pipe. The apple has decent thickness walls and isn't too small.

Admittedly I am not a big fan of P&C but if I have a good reason, I will buy from them.
 

NookersTheCat

Might Stick Around
Sep 10, 2020
99
291
I returned a pipe to P&C and after months of off and on email correspondence, I finally gave them a call. After a bunch of time on hold, I was gruffly told that they would complete my return and return my money right away. A few months after that phone call (meaning not right away whatsoever) I finally received my refund. The entire process took about a year.
This exact same thing happened to me, over almost 3 years til I finally decided to threaten BBB contact they said they would send a check in the mail $150 for a nording hunter series... never saw it. I've basically written it off at this point because (un)fortunately I'm getting to the point in my life where my time is actually becoming worth enough to not wasting it on such fruitless ventures. Still super pissed with them tho lol
 
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NookersTheCat

Might Stick Around
Sep 10, 2020
99
291
As for the original question.. Churchwardens are my pipe of choice and I hands down recommend MacQueens of Canada. Many of their models can be had in cherry bowls for under $100 especially if you catch a sale, there's nothing like a wooden stemmed warden to tame even the harshest smoke. I have several, awesome pipes.

Honorable mention: I also have followed flogglewerks for years, heard great things even from friends and have been meaning to give him lots of my money but never got around to it and now see his site is down again :/
Not the first time but I hope he comes back again...

Cadillac/Aspirational: Vauen Auenland series. Almost 3-4x your budget but again, I have a couple and they are truly a german feat of superior engineering.. the pinnacle of the churchwarden.
 

Sigmund

Lifer
Sep 17, 2023
3,133
30,290
France
Those Ropps are a good deal and Ropp generally makes a better pipe than their cost. No, they dont use the most pretty briar but they are blasted anyway.