F.E.S.S. 15″ Wood Churchwarden Pipe #317RL
Anytime is the right time to enjoy the F.E.S.S. wood churchwarden pipe. This is a wood pipe, but not briar, yet you will find this pipe smokes as nicely as almost any briar pipe at a much nicer price.
The Chinese made F.E.S.S. Wood Churchwarden #317RL is a 15-inch churchwarden style wood-bowl pipe. The long aluminum stem is a hollow tube with a wrap of simulated wood grain. The bowl is a hardwood rather than briar, possibly rosewood. Although this is not a briar pipe, the hardwood used is well suited for smoking tobacco. The inside of the bowl is carbonized, but as with all wood pipes including briars, we recommend breaking the pipe in over a period of days. Having a nice carbon cake will protect the bowl from burn through.
China has become a major player in the pipe making industry. No pipe maker in China has achieved the stature of the famous pipe carvers of Italy, France, England, or Scandinavia… yet. Still, many of the pipes being produced in China are indeed first-rate and being noticed by the pipe smoking community. The F.E.S.S. churchwardens may not be in the same class as the best Chinese or European pipes, but they are enjoying a loyal following and the pipes are a fine choice for the price.
Churchwarden pipes make great gifts and excellent pipes to add to your own collection. The F.E.S.S. wood churchwarden pipe at under $40 makes owning a decent churchwarden pipe well within any pipe smoker’s grasp.
What kind of wood is used in this pipe?
The best we can determine is that the F.E.S.S. wood churchwarden pipe uses Indian rosewood. Rosewood is a true hardwood and can be counted on to smoke nearly as well as a briar pipe. We think breaking the pipe in is a good idea, but we are not aware of any complaints rising from the wood in these bowls burning into the sides or bottom of the pipe bowl. Certainly, a highly aggressive smoking style can cause any wood including briar to burn the bowl. Generally, though, most smokers will not have any problems fully enjoying this F.E.S.S. wood churchwarden pipe.
