Do I Need a Churchwarden?

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Sigmund

Lifer
Sep 17, 2023
4,398
45,692
France
Edited title for capitals.

So as the title says..do I need one? Edit: No.

I have credit towards a pipe at Alpacia in Milan so Im buying something. I dont have a churchwarden but do I need one? If so why...if not why?

I tend to like filters but Im not in love with their filtered selection so it may be a lower cost Ser Jacopo. Im open to suggestions. thanks
 
Last edited by a moderator:

cosmicfolklore

Moderator
Staff member
Aug 9, 2013
36,467
89,347
Between the Heart of Alabama and Hot Springs NC
"Need"? No. But, they are interesting pipes. I have a couple, but hardly ever smoke them. I mean, it has been three years since I have even picked them up. One is a Northern Briars, really nice and smokes well. But... hardly ever a time when I want to smoke a warden. YMMV
 

Oddball

Part of the Furniture Now
Dec 29, 2022
525
2,859
TN
I agree that you don't 'need' one but I will say that I have 4-5 and they all get very regular rotation for me. When I smoke I am either doing stuff (Clench) or sitting on my asteroid, and sometimes those long pipes just rest, just right for me.

The length of stem is 100% for comfort, not for cooling of the smoke.
 
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Reactions: Lyle b
Oct 3, 2021
1,199
5,715
Southeastern PA
No, you don't NEED a churchwarden. But why not? They are definitely enjoyable smokes. But see cosmic's point above, if you are always on the go or smoking while working, then perhaps not, because they aren't really clenchers (although there are 1 or 2 on this forum that could clench just about any pipe ever made).

Yeah, if you are the type to sit back and relax with a pipe, there's no reason NOT to have one...that I can think of, at least.
 
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Medhelan

Lurker
Sep 18, 2023
27
192
64
Milano, Italy
Hi Sigmund, if you want a Churchwarden ... take it!
But if I were you, I would buy something else.
I go to Al Pascià almost every week, and in my personal opinion, there are plenty of other pipes to choose from.
It' only a matter of opinion.
 

Sigmund

Lifer
Sep 17, 2023
4,398
45,692
France
Thanks gents

Medhelan, goingt to Alpacia every week has to be dangerous! On line is bad enough.

Im also looking hard at one of the longer Ser Jacopo or perhaps a twist curved Radice. My only issue with Radice is they dont round off the edges of their bowls. that makes for easy accidental charing. I had one I rounded off myself to get rid of a couple of burn marks.
 

LotusEater

Lifer
Apr 16, 2021
4,657
59,969
Kansas City Missouri
If you have to ask I would say no - but I don’t like them and don’t own one so my opinion is tainted and doesn’t come from any kind of experience.
Alpacia has so many great pipes on offer - I’d get something else unless you really have to have a CW.
 
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Medhelan

Lurker
Sep 18, 2023
27
192
64
Milano, Italy
Thanks gents

Medhelan, goingt to Alpacia every week has to be dangerous! On line is bad enough.

Im also looking hard at one of the longer Ser Jacopo or perhaps a twist curved Radice. My only issue with Radice is they dont round off the edges of their bowls. that makes for easy accidental charing. I had one I rounded off myself to get rid of a couple of burn marks.
are you sure the rims are charred and not simply blackened?

Often with friends we take the "Death Tour."
Al Pascià - Savinelli - Noli. The shops are at walking distance.
I guarantee it is really dangerous!
 

anotherbob

Lifer
Mar 30, 2019
18,422
33,512
47
Central PA a.k.a. State College
Edited title for capitals.

So as the title says..do I need one? Edit: No.

I have credit towards a pipe at Alpacia in Milan so Im buying something. I dont have a churchwarden but do I need one? If so why...if not why?

I tend to like filters but Im not in love with their filtered selection so it may be a lower cost Ser Jacopo. Im open to suggestions. thanks
yeah you do. First until you get one you'll wonder if you should. And frankly I like them a lot. You smoke them slightly differently then other pipes. Mainly because they're sorta of unwieldy but not cumbersome. For me they lead to a more contemplative smoke. You can clench them but it's not recommended. One the plus or minus side you will get to talk to a good variety of people who tell you how nifty your pipe is.