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Well, here is my very first churchwarden. I've sold this one to a friend for darn near nothing. Just enough to cover materials. There are some things about it that bothered me so much I couldn't sell it to a stranger.

The stem is handcut, but it is a little lumpy. I think it could still lose a lot of weight. The insert is zebrawood. This was the first time I have tried an insert. Cool effect, but I need to work on perfecting my method. The walls are very thin and there are some major pits on the outside of the bowl.

Let me know what you guys think.

I like it

rev

I think a lot about this pipe is very good, including the stem and insert! IMO, the shank should be a little narrower and be included in the taper of the stem. It almost has a tavern pipe look that is very attractive. Too bad about the flaws.

What was so bad about it that you couldn't bare to sell it to a customer?

I was really worried about burnout with this one. The walls are pretty thin: 3/16". Plus the flaws in the briar....

Also it was my first churchwarden stem...didn't turn out so swell.

Sand ya chambah!

Cory wrote:Sand ya chambah!

Yeah, yeah, yeah...I would have if it was going out on the market. I got lazy.

UberHuberMan wrote: IMO, the shank should be a little narrower and be included in the taper of the stem. It almost has a tavern pipe look that is very attractive. Too bad about the flaws.

What he said!
The only thing that comes to my mind is that the taper stops kind of abruptly. Otherwise I think it looks nice! Good Job!

3/16" is pretty thin, but not too thin for market, I don't think. I've seen some pretty thin walled pipes out there and have even owned a Dunhill that had a wall thickness pretty much like what you've described. It took some learning, but I eventually got it to smoke cooly. No burn out.

I really like this one and I think, with a little tweaking, it could be a good design for you... if you like making churchwardens that is.

Thanks for the comments guys.

David, someone on BOB just contacted me about making a churchie for them. So I guess even though I considered this one a flop, if it gets me future business that's a success.

While on the topic of churchwardens, has anyone here also made a handcut stem for one? Any tips?

Ocelot55 wrote:David, someone on BOB just contacted me about making a churchie for them. So I guess even though I considered this one a flop, if it gets me future business that's a success.

That's great to hear!

I think it's a great pipe. How long is the stem?

I believe the stem is about 8 1/2" inches long. It was a PIA to drill. Overall length is about 11".

Very good for a first one, I like the shape ! Certainly, it will be better and better next time.