With facial hair I don't care for nose warmers to much as I like to keep my facial hair. My preference would be churchwardens if they were more easily portable.
I prefer semi and full church wardens. My first purchased pipe was a semi bought because of Lord of the Rings illustrations. All of my short pipes have been taken out of my rotation. But the Dunset pocket pipe will still be used if I want one to take filled and ready to smoke. The short stem rotates to cover the bowl, which holds the tobacco in. My Vest Pocket Dry Smoker 1125 is a full size pipe that is similar. The bit folds back over the bowl to make it more compact but it doesn't cover the bowl to hold in tobacco. Due to the stem making a sharp 90 degree upward turn to get the bit higher than the bowl, it is difficult to clean.
@joehandyman I have a few vest/pocket pipes (2 savinelli roly and an SMS meershcaum) I picked the savinellies up because I thought they looked cool and were different but they have an oblong shaped bowl that is a pain in the butt to tamp but smokes kind of ok. The meerschaum vest/pocket pipe I got off eBay just because I had never seen one made of meerschaum and the look just dragged me to it, plus the price wasn't bad. It too has that oblong bowl. Do yours have that oblong bowl? Have you ever had a hard time with them?
I've never smoked a churchwarden, but I like longer pipes as I feel it gives the smoke more time to cool. I try to only buy pipes in the 5.5-7 inch length range.
I prefer normal sized, and longer than normal sized. I'm starting to prefer Canadians with their lengthy stems. I own one cheap Churchwarden, and while its not a regular go to pipe, it's neat to have.
I don't care for nosewarmers, though. I'd rather have a regular sized pipe.
I smoke normal length pipes. Got one shorter,close to nose-warmer, that I don't care for as much. Have a churchwarden that I enjoy smoking, but I smoke a lot sitting at my desk, online - and it's not good for that.
shape depends on what im smoking, generally the more aro or goopy the longer the stem for me to help drop out the condensates. I like nose warmers for mild Virginias.
I didn't think I liked nosewarmers until I owned one. They do have a place for me as they are pretty handy to have on hand when you're on the go. I use them all the time when camping/backpacking or farting around the shop. However I do prefer longer pipes in general.
@drac2485 I have one vest pocket Rolex pipe in my collection and treat it mainly as a novelty piece. I seldom smoke it because it's much too short - and like several others here have a beard. These particular style pipes are even shorter than the poker nose warmers that have become so popular with smokers now. And the limited amount of tobacco the bowl holds isn't worth the effort of packing. And as you suggested the narrow oval shape of the bowl makes it impossible to get a Czech pipe tool in for tamping. I prefer the mid-sized pipe ... particularly the Rhodesian style.
I'm really enjoying my Bing's Favorite and a Peterson Canadian. I'm looking to pick up a few more longer pipes. I asked for a churchwarden for Christmas, hope Santa comes through for me this year.
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I don't care for nosewarmers, though. I'd rather have a regular sized pipe.