Corn Cobb (General) Smokes Great!

smokedogrememberthatsht · Dec 26, 2012

So I have about 20 briars in my collection. All but a few were purchased on eBay and restored in the proper fashion. None are any of the big names that sell for $100+ new. I thoroughly enjoyed bringing them back from the dead.
I recently bought a corn cob pipe (The General) and it smokes far better than any of my briars. So good that I have no desire to smoke anything else. All my tobaccos taste better and the smoke is cooler. I smoke mostly virginias and va-pers and occasionally an aromatic.
My thoughts are that perhaps all of the briars that I have are of poor quality and I need to buy something expensive. All my pipes are well taken care of and I know about drying my tobacco and all of the other typical newbie mistakes. What is the best bang for my buck other than cobs?
Thanks

fnord · Dec 26, 2012

Mike:
First off, welcome to the forums.
What brands did you pick up on the Bay? I've smoked my share of basket pipes, Medicos and Willards and while they'll deliver the nicotine you'll rarely find one that really delivers the whole package of pipe smoking pleasure.
I do believe you get what you pay for but forty or fifty years ago many of the over the counter pipes sold in the U.S. were every bit as good as the imported burners. I've got a Dr. Grabow coupon pipe that smokes every bit as well as my pricier Dunhill, GBDs, Ben Wades, Comoys and Savinellis. Most of my pipes are estate finds and there's an adventure in and of itself.
Like Roth said, "The trick is knowing what to look for, knowing all about it, and then having the good fortune to find it, from a reputable vendor, in fine condition and at the correct price."
Fnord

metarzan · Dec 26, 2012

Hit the antique malls and don't be shy in asking the workers if they know of any pipes in the store. My last 2 or 3 pipes were from antique malls and I got great deals. Still, must know what you are looking for because the vast majority are burned out old drug store pipes. Look them up on google, ebay, whatever before you buy if you are not sure. Good luck.

smokedogrememberthatsht · Dec 26, 2012

thank you metarzan and rothnh
@fnord here is the inventory (sorry the pix are terrible):
-Davill - made in France

-Real Briar - Italy

-Super Woodsman

-Frank Midico - Real Briar

-bewlay twenty London made (one of the best smokers)

Real Briar - Italy

-Orlik Captain Made in England (obviously the favorite of the former master based on the ridiculous amount of cake it came with, this was a labor of love, smokes ok)

Imported briar is on the smaller nothing on the larger

Real Briar

Medico Imported Briar - I replaced the stem

Webco Delux

Clubman London made

044 Imported Briar

Italy (nothing else)

3 pipes marked "calabresi italian briar" - bought new at the local B&M

the culprit

Perique · Dec 26, 2012

I'm a big fan of Forever Stems on cobs, particularly the Country Gent.

smokedogrememberthatsht · Dec 26, 2012

@sothron I just picked up a churchwarden from FS, thanks for the tip. I will pick up a country gent the next time I'm at my local B&M

cmkiefer · Dec 26, 2012

Don't sell your cob short. They are an excellent smoker in general. No fussing around. No gurgles, no worries about teeth marks or charring the rim. They're what I smoke 90% of the time.

05venturer · Dec 26, 2012

+1 cmkeifer, I have yet to find a pipe that smokes any better than my grab bag cobs :clap:

smokedogrememberthatsht · Dec 26, 2012

I have yet to find a pipe that smokes any better than my grab bag cobs

good to know... thanks

wildcat · Dec 26, 2012

I see some real nice pipes in there Mike! Including the cob!!

smokedogrememberthatsht · Dec 26, 2012

I see some real nice pipes in there Mike! Including the cob!!

thanks, they are like my kids, I love them all equally :wink:

guitarguy86 · Dec 27, 2012

I've only got one cob, but it is my best smoker. I paid ten bucks for it, and it smokes better than my Big Ben($91.00).

colorduke · Dec 27, 2012

Cobs are great smokers,but i still love my Grabows.

cigrmaster · Dec 27, 2012

Mike, I would recommend looking for well cared for Upshalls, Savinelli Autographs, Mastro De Paja's, older Caminetto's, Radice's, Winslows. All of these can be had for around 100.00 and under in some cases. I would start with an Upshall and this will give you a good idea at the difference between what you have now and a high quality briar.

smokedogrememberthatsht · Dec 27, 2012

All of these can be had for around 100.00 and under in some cases

I will be on the look out. Would eBay be the best place to look?
Thanks,

smokedogrememberthatsht · Dec 27, 2012

I've only got one cob, but it is my best smoker. I paid ten bucks for it, and it smokes better than my Big Ben($91.00).

That's what scares me about buying an expensive pipe.
I bought the MM mystery bag yesterday, couldn't resist.

veganpiper · Dec 28, 2012

Yo, i had to have me a bit o' baccy yesterday and did not have a pipe with me!!! DON'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT, So i ran over to my local CVS drug store and lo and behold thy had a MM right on the shelf. Don't know what model it is, but i am impressed with the pipe. Smokes well, i am surprised. I haven't smoked a cob since i first tried a pipe in 1983. I gave it up immediately, pipe smoking that is. Now it is so relaxing i can't imagine putting it down.

05venturer · Dec 28, 2012

I bought the MM mystery bag yesterday, couldn't resist.

you won't be disapointed, Happy Puffing :puffpipe:

Corn Cobb (General) Smokes Great!

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