Churchwarden

[abook73]

I am fascinated by these pipes. I don't think that I would use one as I really like my small pocket pipe (practical for driving and smoking). What's the history on these? Why so long? Other than wanting to look like a Tolken character...hmm maybe I will base my Halloween costume around on of these...are they a good smoke or a novelty? I would be grateful for any knowledge that could be provided. Thanks

-Andy

 

[jhuggett]

I only have one and it's a Stanwell Hans Christian Andersen IV. I really like it as a churchwarden but it also comes with a short stem too. I'm not too sure about the history but I do believe they smoke cooler overall. Great pipe actually.

 

[Anonymous]

I had two Pete's
They really smoke cool but they never really suited my style and where I was going with my pipe collection. I sold them both for practical reasons you mention.
You should for you own curiosity smoke one, I is really quite nice!!!

Not sure about the history either, we should ask KAP, he is the brain box around here!!!!

Calling Kap,,,,,,,,,,,come in Kap............ help needed here bro!

 

[RobT]

I own two churchwardens. One full size straightgrain from Peterson, and a mini from Lorenzo.
They smoke nicely - as long as you can get over the 'Gandalf the Grey' thing.
The shape originates from the Ottoman empire where tobacco's were stong and dry - for this reason a long stem helped cool the smoke to tolerable levels.
My experience with churchwardens have been great so far, although one can't hold one by the teeth comfortably - best to hold the bowl by hand..
You also need extra length pipe cleaners for the stems.

 

[Anonymous]

I own two churchwardens. One full size straightgrain from Peterson, and a mini from Lorenzo.
They smoke nicely - as long as you can get over the 'Gandalf the Grey' thing.
The shape originates from the Ottoman empire where tobacco's were stong and dry - for this reason a long stem helped cool the smoke to tolerable levels.
My experience with churchwardens have been great so far, although one can't hold one by the teeth comfortably - best to hold the bowl by hand..
You also need extra length pipe cleaners for the stems.

A South African brother to the rescue.....
Well done Rob, thanks for sharing. :cheers: :cheers:

 

[Natch]

Regarding their history, Wikipedia has this to say: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Churchwarden_pipe but as always, take it with a big grain of salt. There was a popular explanation a while back that in centuries past, churches hired men to sit in the sanctuary throughout the day and protect it from bums and thieves. They smoked long pipes so the smoldering bowl could be out the window so they wouldn't smoke up the sanctuary. I think it an urban legend, though.

I could see a link to the early Dutch and English clay tavern pipes that were purposely made with long, thin stems so that each now user could snap off an inch or so when they smoked it (no Bord of Health requirements back then, I guess!). I think also the cultural/Asian influence is probably a major factor?

Natch

 

[happypipester]

Another explanation I've heard (which would explain the name) is that at one time churches would have a "church warden" who would use his pipe to wake up parishioners who dozed off in the middle of sermons (nothing like a nice hot clay pipe to wake ya up!).

As for the design, we have to remember that with clay pipes, which were the most common pipes available at one time, the bowl gets very hot, which makes holding the stem necessary. A longer stem would be easier to hold. Plus if you bit through the stem, you could break off that chunk and still have enough stem left to continue smoking that pipe.

Cheers!

 

[Anonymous]

That is why I hang around here, This is fantastic info, thanks for sharing guys!

 

[*camoham]

i had one, not sure of the make. then it has some crack and broke problems.

when its evening, or the weekend................nothing beats lounging with a churchwarden.

also makes some intolerable tobys tolerable. also might experience some different flavors previously not known to the tobac.

camoham