What You Want to Know About Corn Cob Pipes

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taztime

Might Stick Around
May 15, 2013
91
0
Texas
Corncob Pipes

general-mc-auther-and-hes-corn-cob-pipe.jpg


Gen. MacArthur

>> On the other end of the scale, "corncob" pipes made from maize cobs are cheap and effective, even if some regard them as inelegant. The cobs are first dried for two years. Then they are hollowed out to make a bowl shape. The bowls are dipped in a plaster-based mixture and varnished or lacquered on the outside. Shanks made from pine wood are then inserted into the bowls. The first and largest manufacturer of corncob pipes is Missouri Meerschaum, located in Washington, Missouri in the United States.[2]. Missouri Meerschaum has produced the pipes since 1869. General Douglas MacArthur and George Lincoln Rockwell were perhaps the most famous smokers of this type of pipe, along with the cartoon characters Popeye and Frosty the Snowman.
Corncob pipes remain popular today because they are inexpensive and require no "break-in" period like briar pipes. For these two reasons, corncob pipes are often recommended as a "Beginners pipe." But, their enjoyment is by no means limited to beginners. Corncob pipes are equally valued by both learners, and experienced smokers who simply desire a cool, clean smoke. Pipe smokers who wish to sample a wide variety of different tobaccos and blends also might keep a stock of corncobs on hand to permit them to try new flavors without "carryover" from an already-used pipe, or to keep a potentially bad tasting tobacco from adding its flavor to a more expensive or favored pipe.
For great additional information see The Complete Corncob primer and Missouri Meerschaum Corncob Buying Guide courtesy of John Patton (tiltjlp).
Edit: Corrected capitalization in title per Rule #9, L.

 

taztime

Might Stick Around
May 15, 2013
91
0
Texas
legend-bent-new-missouri-meerschaum-corn-cob-pipe-aristocob.jpg


Missouri Meerschaum Company

Washington, Missouri has long been known as the "Corn Cob Pipe Capital of the World." It was the Missouri Meerschaum Company, still the world's oldest and largest manufacturer of the cool, sweet-smelling corn cob pipes, that began the tradition for which Washington became famous.
Corncob Pipes

In 1869 Henry Tibbe, a Dutch immigrant woodworker, first began production of the corn cob pipe. Legend has it that a local farmer whittled a pipe out of corn cob and liked it so much he asked Henry Tibbe to try turning some on his lathe. The farmer was well-pleased with his pipes so Henry made a few more and put them for sale in his shop. They proved to be such a fast selling item that soon Tibbe spent more time making pipes for his customers than working with wood. Soon Tibbe went into full time production of corn cob pipes. In 1907, the H. Tibbe & Son Co. became the Missouri Meerschaum Company.
Gen. Douglas MacArthur, a famous corn cob smoker

The word Meerschaum is taken from a German word that means "sea foam". It is a Turkish clay used in high grade pipes. Tibbe likened his light, porous pipes and their cool smoke to that of the more expensive meerschaum pipes and coined the name "Missouri Meerschaum" for his pipes. Tibbe and a chemist friend devised an innovative system of applying a plaster-based substance to the outside of the corn cob bowls. In 1878, Tibbe patented this process.
A nationwide distribution system was established for the sale of his pipes. Other pipe firms also developed; by 1925 there were as many as a dozen corn cob pipe companies in Franklin County, most of them in Washington. Today, Missouri Meerschaum stands alone as the first and only surviving piece of the living history. These gentle pipes are smoked and loved all over the world as well as being used as souvenirs, often imprinted with the name of the city, business or event.
Missouri Meerschaum Company

400 West Front Street

P.O. Box 226

Washington, MO 63090-0226

USA
Phone: 636-239-2109

Fax: 636-239-2195

E-mail: pipes@corncobpipe.com

Website: Missouri Meerschaum Company

 

bentmike

Lifer
Jan 25, 2012
2,422
44
I like my MM Cobs for sure. Always a great smoke.



Question: I picked up the cob on the left from my local drugstore. It was the only one of its kind among the other more familiar MM models. I've been looking around the web and of course the MM website but I've not seen mention of it anywhere. I'm just wondering what it's called. It's a great smoker just a tad bigger than the Pony Express (on right) and perfect for a coin of Escudo.

 

roadqueen

Starting to Get Obsessed
Apr 9, 2013
267
5
http://www.4noggins.com/browseproducts/Missouri-Meerschaum-LEGEND.html
Looks like it's advertised as an MM Legend. Although the Legend shape is different now. :puffy:

 

ciderguy

Can't Leave
May 30, 2013
302
4
MM cobs are the workhorses of my rotation. I also appreciate the way they color and develop a personality over time.

 
Aug 14, 2012
2,872
130
They are good. I keep 10 of them in my tobacco drawer. I prefer the MacArthur & just smoke the center of the bowl.

 

locopony

Part of the Furniture Now
Jun 7, 2011
710
3
I keep a cob in both of my trucks and one on my motorcycle. I also have some around different places at home. How well they smoke is a bit over rated but they do alright. I have a huge one like the MacArthur. I rarely smoke it though. Its huge and awkward.

 

oklansas

Can't Leave
Apr 16, 2013
441
1
DC
Love my hardwood pipe from MM,
This made me think of a great video about Missouri Meerschaum I stumbled across a few weeks ago, here it is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRJj11M3B2I

 

ejames

Lifer
Oct 6, 2009
3,916
25
Thanks for posting that video Oklansas! I have seen the other info before but hadn't saw that particular video.

 

mso489

Lifer
Feb 21, 2013
41,211
60,666
Because they are inexpensive, I think some people mistake MM's for being disposable.

In fact, a Missouri Meerschaum can last for decades, almost like a briar pipe. My father

used to actually use them up, as they developed cracks between the little kernel squares

on the bowl, but he was a pipe chain smoker, really from right after breakfast until bedtime,

so he also burnt out briars. He didn't rotate pipes, usually just using one at a time. But

used in a more methodical way, in rotation, MM's last and last. The folks in Washington,

Missouri, make the quintessential cob. They have the art form down cold. I have several,

but one is as yet unsmoked. The others are years old.

 

taztime

Might Stick Around
May 15, 2013
91
0
Texas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=JK99Ng2p2tQ
History of the Missouri Meerschaum Corncob Pipes

 

taztime

Might Stick Around
May 15, 2013
91
0
Texas
Missouri Meerschaum Models: Country Gentleman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=SKQiDIYYSP8&feature=endscreen
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Missouri Meerschaum Models: Legend

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAj8na71EJQ
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Missouri Meerschaum Models: Missouri Pride

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcQJWaqozi0

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Missouri Meerschaum Models Series: The 5th Avenue

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=BMvuk3Iku64&feature=endscreen

******************************

 

taztime

Might Stick Around
May 15, 2013
91
0
Texas
Missouri Meerschaum Spool pipe - Maple Wood
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=hSCQ0aLJjoY

 

taztime

Might Stick Around
May 15, 2013
91
0
Texas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3drpqQ8R7Ns
Walker Briar Works Country gentleman with Forever Stem Review

 

tonibaruch

Lurker
Nov 20, 2011
17
0
Milan, Italy
I like them and enjoy them to smoke soapy virginias in summer.

Just like meerschaum, I don't find them very suited for latakia mixtures.
And I strongly disagree about the idea they don't need break-in.

I share much more the opinion of Mark Twain about how hard they can be at the beginning (I guess thanks to the burning pine stem). After the stem is burned it is a joy to enjoy them in relax.

 
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