I recently heard on Youtube that a corncob pipe can last years (i.e. +30 year,) if cared for properly. I care for my cobs the same as I do my briars. Is there any special care that corncobs should be given?
Proper Care of Corncobs?
- Thread starter lankfordjl
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I have some cobs that are 35+ and still smoke sweet.
1. Don't get them wet: Have lost several over the years in rain storms on the lake or in the woods. The plaster of paris can't take it.
2. Refer to number one. Other than that.... smoke the hell of if them.
Yes, you'll get one once in a while that'll burn out...Most likely a defect in the way the cob grew, but just keep smoking till the ash falls out the side in your lap. Most are good pipes and will last. I smoke them like a chimney. I'm always breaking in new cobs for outside doings.....
(I read somewhere that Samuel Clemens 'Mark Twain' used to hire men to break in cobs for him).
1. Don't get them wet: Have lost several over the years in rain storms on the lake or in the woods. The plaster of paris can't take it.
2. Refer to number one. Other than that.... smoke the hell of if them.
Yes, you'll get one once in a while that'll burn out...Most likely a defect in the way the cob grew, but just keep smoking till the ash falls out the side in your lap. Most are good pipes and will last. I smoke them like a chimney. I'm always breaking in new cobs for outside doings.....
(I read somewhere that Samuel Clemens 'Mark Twain' used to hire men to break in cobs for him).
I have never owned or smoked out of a corncob,are there advantages over a briar pipe? Do they smoke any differently than a briar?
The big advantage for me is they are 4 bucks apiece here locally for Washingtons, so I have a handful that I rotate through all day for a quick 'having a smoke' as opposed to going out and 'smoking a pipe'(as a member here put it). Another big advantage is that even though I am guilty of mistreating them, and maybe even bordering on abuse, they are beautiful little masochists and stand up to all of it.
Caring for them, I just follow the advice I read from Lawrence and Cortez about screwing a paper towel into the bowl, and a pipe cleaner through the stem, sometimes with alcohol (when they've earned it). When they've sometimes gotten expansion cracks that leak air, a spot of Elmer's, a days rest in the infirmary to dry, and back into rotation.
A couple are almost 3 years old now...35 would be great!
Caring for them, I just follow the advice I read from Lawrence and Cortez about screwing a paper towel into the bowl, and a pipe cleaner through the stem, sometimes with alcohol (when they've earned it). When they've sometimes gotten expansion cracks that leak air, a spot of Elmer's, a days rest in the infirmary to dry, and back into rotation.
A couple are almost 3 years old now...35 would be great!
Proper care of corn cobs... hmmm. Just an alcohol swab every once in a while. Less to deal with than a briar pipe.
The advantages to a corn cob pipe to me are:
1. Most of the Corn Cob Pipes are very light, and make clenching the pipe very easy.
2. They breath extremely well so the pipes will never gurgle unless you're trying to smoke water.
3. The draw is so open that it makes sipping the pipe truely effortless. And is a nice change of pace.
4. Some have reported a very light sweet flavor that the cobs add to the blends they smoke. I have not noticed this yet.
5. They are affordable for every budget.
6. They take a beating with grace and style. Battle scars only make them more appealing.
7. If you have to jump into water to rescue a damsel in distress and forget you have a pipe in your mouth you will be ok. Emotional feelings do not cling to corn cobs. Only tobacco oils.
I have more reasons I love cobs... but I'm very forgetful and...
8. Corn Cobs remind us of a simpler time. Pipe smoking in general can do this too, but here in the south a corn cob has the added connotation of a truely simple lifestyle.
The end.
The advantages to a corn cob pipe to me are:
1. Most of the Corn Cob Pipes are very light, and make clenching the pipe very easy.
2. They breath extremely well so the pipes will never gurgle unless you're trying to smoke water.
3. The draw is so open that it makes sipping the pipe truely effortless. And is a nice change of pace.
4. Some have reported a very light sweet flavor that the cobs add to the blends they smoke. I have not noticed this yet.
5. They are affordable for every budget.
6. They take a beating with grace and style. Battle scars only make them more appealing.
7. If you have to jump into water to rescue a damsel in distress and forget you have a pipe in your mouth you will be ok. Emotional feelings do not cling to corn cobs. Only tobacco oils.
I have more reasons I love cobs... but I'm very forgetful and...
8. Corn Cobs remind us of a simpler time. Pipe smoking in general can do this too, but here in the south a corn cob has the added connotation of a truely simple lifestyle.
The end.
I find that cobs are perfect for aromatics. They seem to absorb the excess wettness and sugars easily. I do not like to smoke aromatics in my briars - this prevents ghosting in the briars.
Thanks guys, you sold me. I am going down to the local shop and grab one. I was there the other day and had one in my hand but I was wary because they are so inexpensive. I figured they would be hot smoking because they are not aged briar.
(Don't be disappointed in the first smoke or two.... sometimes they go heavy on the lacquer and it takes a smoke or two to cook it out).
I love how light they are and they seem to always smoke cool for me. My briars I am having a tough time avoiding bite.
You might want to read my Primer for complete care information and other useful tips.
http://pipedia.org/index.php?title=The_Complete_Corncob_primer
http://pipedia.org/index.php?title=The_Complete_Corncob_primer
Problem with "going out to the shop and getting one" is most shops only sell "The Legend" which is a very small cob. Your better off going to Aristocob.com to purchase your cob, the Country Gentleman and the Diplomat are normal sized pipes, in briar sizing (medium). They make large ones as well, their Freehand and General are the same size; the two largest you would want to get, the only larger one, the Mac Arthur requires one of those extra long grill style lighters to light it with. Missouri Meerschaum also sells them directly.
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