Churchwarden pipes

Churchwarden pipes are iconic in the world of slow smoking because of their long mouthpiece, a feature that sets them apart from any other shape.

The distinctive style, along with their history, makes Churchwarden pipes a shape that every enthusiast should know about.

In this article we will discover the history and unique characteristics of these fascinating pipes.

Characteristics of Churchwarden pipes

The main characteristic of Churchwarden pipes is the long mouthpiece, which distinguishes them from any other shape, which is generally identified by the shape of the bowl.

Churchwarden are also called "Lesepfeife" in Germany, which literally means "reading pipe," suggesting use while reading precisely because of the long mouthpiece, which draws the smoke away from the eyes.

The length of these pipes is between 23 and 46 cm, with the mouthpiece being either straight or curved.

Clearly, to be called a Churchwarden, the pipe must have the right proportions.

For example, a tobacco pipe with a large stove may have a mouthpiece of the same length as a Churchwarden, but this is not enough to be called one because it does not have the typical proportions.

Churchwardens always have a medium or small stove, in fact, those made by Dunhill are almost always Group 3.

Smoking them, Churchwardens always produce a cooler than average smoke by virtue of the long mouthpiece.

History of Churchwarden pipes

The history of Churchwarden pipes is, to this day, shrouded in mystery.

Some believe that the name comes from the night wardens of churches, at a time when churches remained open at all times. 

The long mouthpiece, by keeping the smoke out of the warden's sight, allowed for a clear view at all times.

Others claim that the long mouthpiece of churchwardens allowed the keepers to smoke outside church windows.

But to discover the origins of this fascinating shape, it is necessary to go back a few centuries.

In fact, the Churchwarden shape was very common in the past, more specifically in the period between the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Although at that time tobacco pipes were mostly made of brass and lead, clay was the most widely used material in the creation of these pipes until the second half of the 19th century.

In those years, it was very easy to come across such pipes in taverns, often owned by the businesses themselves, which they made available to customers.

Are you curious to experience the charm of Churchwarden pipes for yourself? Discover our extensive collection of straight and bent Churchwarden pipes!