A Cob Pipe... Really?
- Thread starter whiteydoughton
- Start date
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
Site Sponsors
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
- Status
In addition to all that's been said about the fine corn cob pipe, I would also suggest that some blends smoke even better (or at least differently, in a positive sense) in cob than in briar. Chief among these are the burley blends. But also VaBurPer Hybrids. McConnell's Scottish Cake, as an example, is at its best in a cob. I have a Foreverstemmed MM cob dedicated to just this blend. I also find Hal o' The Wynd is tamed and more tasty in a cob. Similarly, GL Pease's Cumberland and Barbary Coast are just as much at home in cobs as they are in briar (though the latter is quicker to ghost a cob than a briar).
I very seldom smoke my meerschaums or briers outside when I'm busy doing something with my hands. But a cob pipe is just the right thing while working in the shop or leaning over in the engine of the truck. It's the perfect pipe to smoke on the lake or in the woods, lite and easy to clench... Get some Forever Stems and you have a nice pipe you'll learn to love...!
I absolutely loath corn cob pipes. I purchased one back in 1982 and could not get on with the damned pipe. The bit was about 1 1/2 inches long and made of a yellow translucent plastic which had to be gently sanded on both sides to stop the seams of the casting from cutting into the corner of your mouth. Whatever I smoked in the pipe just tasted wrong to my mind. Now before you say 'Simon you just got a bad one try again' I did six times including an old specimen that had been well smoked which came with a large batch of briars I was gifted in 1984. Its just doesn't work for me in the same way that my choice of pipe would not grab a lot of people on this forum. That said we don't want to start talking clay pipes either which is another one of my pet addictions. Its a great shame as cob pipes would be a damn sight cheaper than my meerschaum addiction.
I'm also not too keen on cobs, my first pipe was a Cheap bulldog, and after reading endorsements from cob advocates, I got a couple of minis and diplomats. The problem I have was that they felt like they were falling apart in my hands, the bottom of the bowl being impossible to smoke, they also didn't feel too solid in my hands. I've since upgraded to Petersons, and my cobs are gathering dust.
For a while I was using my mini cobs for a smoke while I was getting ready for work in the morning, but even those have been replaced with a clay pipe.
Probably the only benefit to cons for me is their disposable nature. I'd rather lose a $30 diplomat than my Petes.
For a while I was using my mini cobs for a smoke while I was getting ready for work in the morning, but even those have been replaced with a clay pipe.
Probably the only benefit to cons for me is their disposable nature. I'd rather lose a $30 diplomat than my Petes.
+1 on the Forever Stems - I'm up to three now.
I tend to prefer my briars for my Friday afternoon "Welcome to the Weekend" smokes, but I'll sometimes get out the Cobwarden (Country Gentleman with a churchwarden Forever Stem) for some Va/Per action if I'm not planning on using my hands to operate a book or anything...
Conversely, I prefer to grab a cob on Saturday or Sunday mornings when doing yard work - it actually has turned weeding the back lot into an enjoyable task instead of a grinding chore, and my wife certainly doesn't mind if I spend a little more time on the yardwork that she doesn't want to do (mowing goes to her, I get to pull weeds and trim shrubbery). And that way, I can clench to my jaw's content and should I drop my pipe into the weedwacker, I'm only out a few bucks... :D
I tend to prefer my briars for my Friday afternoon "Welcome to the Weekend" smokes, but I'll sometimes get out the Cobwarden (Country Gentleman with a churchwarden Forever Stem) for some Va/Per action if I'm not planning on using my hands to operate a book or anything...
Conversely, I prefer to grab a cob on Saturday or Sunday mornings when doing yard work - it actually has turned weeding the back lot into an enjoyable task instead of a grinding chore, and my wife certainly doesn't mind if I spend a little more time on the yardwork that she doesn't want to do (mowing goes to her, I get to pull weeds and trim shrubbery). And that way, I can clench to my jaw's content and should I drop my pipe into the weedwacker, I'm only out a few bucks... :D
I'm with Top on this. I have a wonderful selection of Missouri Meerschaums and Old Dominions, and I love them all. I wasn't expecting a pipe that I could pass it down to my grandchildren, as I can do with my briars, but for a rather inexpensive price I got a very nice smoking pipe. Cobs taste good, especially with burleys, as previously noted. Like some of the others here, I use my Cobs when I'm working around the house, and the light weight of the pipe is a real plus. Note to Simon: the mini cobs don't always work. Invest in a full-size cob, and see if you don't have a different opinion.
I was pretty slow to jump on the cob-wagon so to speak. Cobs always tended to look less than finished even rough and part of my draw to pipe smoking is the history and the nostalgia of unique briar pipes. Then I decided to give one a try. Now 8 of my pipes are cobs and I rotate them heavily. The open draw and ability to absorb a lot of moisture has allowed me to enjoy a few tobaccos I was on the fence about. I find that Burleys and Virginia/Perique blends tend to do the best. Occasionally an Oriental blend becomes a star in a corn cob pipe. Most of the stronger Latakia blends I have tried tend to taste better in a briar pipe, but that is just a personal note.
I never fear damaging any of my cobs and they are great to travel with. Working outside almost lends perfectly to the strengths of a cob. Durable, functional, and make smoking a mindless joy. My love of them has grown enough that I have been convincing a few of my close pipe smoking brethren to add them to their collection with great acceptance. There is a general stigma about cobs that hides their true greatness. I have had people come up to me while I have been enjoying a cob on a walk and make reference to Frosty the Snowman and Huckleberry Finn (in a very polite manner), but the reason I enjoy them is because I like the way the pipe smokes and how my tobacco tastes in a cob. They burn well in almost all conditions, the taste of the tobacco isn't effected greatly, and if I use horrible technique, they still provide a great smoke.
I put my oldest cobs up against my two favorite pipes in my collection (Brigham 3 dot mountaineer and a freehand Ben wade) and the cob(s) consistently provide a smoking quality surpassing my favorite briars.
Now I believe the true greatness of pipe smoking is that everyone is allowed to enjoy different tobaccos, flavors and pipes and no one is ever wrong. But I strongly suggest that anyone who likes to experiment within the pipe smoking realm give a cob an honest open try. I won't go so far as to say it will change your life, but it adds another enjoyable dimension to an already great pastime. I was a reluctant skeptic some time ago. But now I am a true convert praising the virtues of the simple MM corn cob pipe. With that I am off to enjoy said virtues of one of my cobs.
I never fear damaging any of my cobs and they are great to travel with. Working outside almost lends perfectly to the strengths of a cob. Durable, functional, and make smoking a mindless joy. My love of them has grown enough that I have been convincing a few of my close pipe smoking brethren to add them to their collection with great acceptance. There is a general stigma about cobs that hides their true greatness. I have had people come up to me while I have been enjoying a cob on a walk and make reference to Frosty the Snowman and Huckleberry Finn (in a very polite manner), but the reason I enjoy them is because I like the way the pipe smokes and how my tobacco tastes in a cob. They burn well in almost all conditions, the taste of the tobacco isn't effected greatly, and if I use horrible technique, they still provide a great smoke.
I put my oldest cobs up against my two favorite pipes in my collection (Brigham 3 dot mountaineer and a freehand Ben wade) and the cob(s) consistently provide a smoking quality surpassing my favorite briars.
Now I believe the true greatness of pipe smoking is that everyone is allowed to enjoy different tobaccos, flavors and pipes and no one is ever wrong. But I strongly suggest that anyone who likes to experiment within the pipe smoking realm give a cob an honest open try. I won't go so far as to say it will change your life, but it adds another enjoyable dimension to an already great pastime. I was a reluctant skeptic some time ago. But now I am a true convert praising the virtues of the simple MM corn cob pipe. With that I am off to enjoy said virtues of one of my cobs.
I have taken all advice and as I said before I did order the Country Gentleman. I also think my local tobacconist miss labled his VaPer as I ran out and got some more. Thee most god aweful smelling stuff ever. Stank up my briar. I am letting is dry a lot and hopefully it'll taste better in the cob.
This is going to come as a HUGE surprise, but .... I like cobs. :mrgreen:
If you want a great smoking pipe and don't value image over function, they can't be beat.
The Country Gent you've chosen is my favorite shape and makes complex blends sing.
Be sure to properly break in your new cob before judging it and I think you'll find
out why there is a new thread on Cobs every few days.
Happy Puffing! :
:
If you want a great smoking pipe and don't value image over function, they can't be beat.
The Country Gent you've chosen is my favorite shape and makes complex blends sing.
Be sure to properly break in your new cob before judging it and I think you'll find
out why there is a new thread on Cobs every few days.
Happy Puffing! :
:
Good Briar > Any Cob
Whoever tries to convince you that any cob is equal to a decent briar is pulling your leg. Plus, they are not all that light. Savinelli "KS" size is lighter than an average size cob.
I would rather have one good briar pipe than 10 cobs.
Whoever tries to convince you that any cob is equal to a decent briar is pulling your leg. Plus, they are not all that light. Savinelli "KS" size is lighter than an average size cob.
I would rather have one good briar pipe than 10 cobs.
[/quote]experts on our own opinions here. So everybody is right.
It's why I bought one so I can be an expert on it also
It's why I bought one so I can be an expert on it also
Cobs are great as it has been said here. When I first started out SWMBO bought me one and I fell in love. I then bought a grab bag of seconds which was a great investment. The next step was an aristocob! Cobs rock, plus you can take them out and not have to worry about breaking a good pipe.
- Status