Am I A Shmuck For Preferring Corn Cobs?

[timt]

I really like cheap ballpoint pens over those more expensive, like Monte Blanc. I am familiar with how a Mont Blancs write, and I still prefer a cheap ballpoint.
I have a shelf full of $100 to $200 lighters, and I still prefer a Bic over all of them.
I will wear my $300 shoes to church or on business, if I have to impress someone, but I fully admit that they are not nearly as comfortable as my four year old Nikes. And, if given the option, I'd much rather wear flip flops or go barefoot.

But... I don't go to penmakers websites and start discussions about free ballpoint pens.
I generally just avoid the threads here concerning lighters, unless someone wants to know something about one that I happen to own. But, I don't post on every lighter thread that I use a Bic.
And, I certainly don't go to Men's Fashion Sites and post my love of flip flops or going barefoot.

Not, that there is anything wrong with cobs. If you like cobs, you are not a freak. It may be a little freaky to be so damn adamant about cobs. And, maybe posting on the higher end pie threads that everyone should have a cob is a little over the top.
I'm really glad that you know what you like. And, you could own thousands of them at the prices they go for. You are lucky. Enjoy your cobs, and think about what you've done here.

I see that you have some strong feelings about this. Was there an accident involving a cob at some point in your past? You can talk to us. Let it out.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I’m not saying anything is better than anything else. I want to try and figure out what’s going on. I spent what I consider a lot of money on this new Sav and need advice. So far all my cobs smoke better. Like I said earlier, I REALLY want to like briars and am willing to do what I have to do get to that point...if possible.

briar pipes are... a little more finicky than cobs. It's true. Your tobacco needs to be dried to a specific range that you alone prefer it to be. It has to be packed a little lighter than you think it needs to be, and adjusted slightly with a tamper. You have to just slowly nurse a trickle of smoke from it, smoking it on the verge of going out. These are the ranges in which you will find the most flavors. It is a combination of skill, science, art, and experience. And, it takes practice.
A cob, you can load and enjoy, very similar to how easy a cigar is.

But, easy is not always where the most enjoyment lies. Learning to drive a stick shift and then taking it out of the Blue Ridge parkway, or ride it down the Back of the Dragon, is way more enjoyable than driving an easy peasy automatic.

A skateboard has a greater learning curve than a kick scooter, but which one do you think gives you the most flexibility in what you can do?

Hang onto your cobs. But maybe spend some time with those briars. Get a feel for them. Try different levels of moisture in your tobacco. Play with packing styles, and when you think that you are smoking slow, slow down even more. Smoulder. Long gentle sips of smoke, and let that smoke swirl around in your mouth. Look for the flavors of the warm briar in your hand. Feel the pipe. It's different. Bond with that briar aroma. Maybe purposefully puff and little harder every now and then to warm that briar up slightly, then back down to a smoulder. Ride that dragon's back. Prepare for that flip on the skateboard. Shift your weight, slowwww sipps. Savor that tobacco.

Then come back to your cob every now and then. Briar will give you a new appreciation for your cobbs and vica versa. There doesn't have to be a one way or another. Enjoy both.

 

[Nhassey48]

briar pipes are... a little more finicky than cobs. It's true. Your tobacco needs to be dried to a specific range that you alone prefer it to be. It has to be packed a little lighter than you think it needs to be, and adjusted slightly with a tamper. You have to just slowly nurse a trickle of smoke from it, smoking it on the verge of going out. These are the ranges in which you will find the most flavors. It is a combination of skill, science, art, and experience. And, it takes practice.
A cob, you can load and enjoy, very similar to how easy a cigar is.

But, easy is not always where the most enjoyment lies. Learning to drive a stick shift and then taking it out of the Blue Ridge parkway, or ride it down the Back of the Dragon, is way more enjoyable than driving an easy peasy automatic.

A skateboard has a greater learning curve than a kick scooter, but which one do you think gives you the most flexibility in what you can do?

Hang onto your cobs. But maybe spend some time with those briars. Get a feel for them. Try different levels of moisture in your tobacco. Play with packing styles, and when you think that you are smoking slow, slow down even more. Smoulder. Long gentle sips of smoke, and let that smoke swirl around in your mouth. Look for the flavors of the warm briar in your hand. Feel the pipe. It's different. Bond with that briar aroma. Maybe purposefully puff and little harder every now and then to warm that briar up slightly, then back down to a smoulder. Ride that dragon's back. Prepare for that flip on the skateboard. Shift your weight, slowwww sipps. Savor that tobacco.

Then come back to your cob every now and then. Briar will give you a new appreciation for your cobbs and vica versa. There doesn't have to be a one way or another. Enjoy both.

I really appreciate this. Thank you for the time of that response. I’m going to go spank that dragon...or something like that

 

[edger]

Indeed. But claiming they supply a better smoke than briar or Meers is sheer chutzpah or bald ignorance.

All my Falcons are briar. I never made such claims.

 

[Chasing Embers]

briar pipes are... a little more finicky than cobs.

?‍

I just pack them, light them, and go.

 

[edger]

cos, I appreciate your notice of my less than best stuff. I am on a probation of sorts. I got a bit out of hand some time not too long ago and was almost banned. Sometimes I am on certain meds and I start blathering about all kinds of stupid things that the mods shouldn't have to deal with. I was very grateful they just put me in time out and not banned.

There are a lot of people who don't appreciate my humor or think I am just a psycho with some screws lose(correct on that one). I end up insulting some people unintentionally but my Boston humor is rude and crude and Kevin doesn't want that kind of crap on HIS site.
I now try and read my posts from a few different angles to make sure I am not pissing people off. I even will ask a mod in advance of posting something just to make sure.
It isn't a big deal as I believe that my running it past the mods first will keep it all good.

I think I've come close to that line myself. You're alright by me. The relative anonymity of forums makes me braver than I ought to be sometimes.

 

[edger]

briar pipes are... a little more finicky than cobs. It's true. Your tobacco needs to be dried to a specific range that you alone prefer it to be. It has to be packed a little lighter than you think it needs to be, and adjusted slightly with a tamper. You have to just slowly nurse a trickle of smoke from it, smoking it on the verge of going out. These are the ranges in which you will find the most flavors. It is a combination of skill, science, art, and experience. And, it takes practice.
A cob, you can load and enjoy, very similar to how easy a cigar is.

But, easy is not always where the most enjoyment lies. Learning to drive a stick shift and then taking it out of the Blue Ridge parkway, or ride it down the Back of the Dragon, is way more enjoyable than driving an easy peasy automatic.

A skateboard has a greater learning curve than a kick scooter, but which one do you think gives you the most flexibility in what you can do?

Hang onto your cobs. But maybe spend some time with those briars. Get a feel for them. Try different levels of moisture in your tobacco. Play with packing styles, and when you think that you are smoking slow, slow down even more. Smoulder. Long gentle sips of smoke, and let that smoke swirl around in your mouth. Look for the flavors of the warm briar in your hand. Feel the pipe. It's different. Bond with that briar aroma. Maybe purposefully puff and little harder every now and then to warm that briar up slightly, then back down to a smoulder. Ride that dragon's back. Prepare for that flip on the skateboard. Shift your weight, slowwww sipps. Savor that tobacco.

Then come back to your cob every now and then. Briar will give you a new appreciation for your cobbs and vica versa. There doesn't have to be a one way or another. Enjoy both.

Now that's more like it. When you put that briar meth pipe down you are very eloquent. Seriously, this excellent and generous advice. Kudos .

 

[olkofri]

?‍

I just pack them, light them, and go.

Yeah, but you're a veteran, Cap'n. Smoking since 19 years auld, never taking the pipe out of your mouth save for sleeping and bathing... we can't compare. Specially those of us who are new at this. ?

 

[Chasing Embers]

But claiming they supply a better smoke than briar or Meers is sheer chutzpah or bald ignorance.

As is claiming they do not. Everything about pipe smoking is up to personal experience

 

[Chasing Embers]

Smoking since 19 years auld,

17?

Just saying that overthinking makes it harder than need be.

 

[olkofri]

17?

Just saying that overthinking makes it harder than need be.

See? That's an extra two years of experience. You can pack 'em, light 'em, and smoke 'em with your hands tied behind your back...

in the dark...

jumping on one foot...

 

[brian64]

Smoking since 19 years auld

What does "auld" mean?

 

[edger]

What does "auld" mean?

I think it's Scots Gaelic for don't drop an ember on your sporran.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I think it's Scots Gaelic for don't drop an ember on your sporran.

Epic brush fire.

 

[Perique]

I’m going to go spank that dragon...or something like that

Make sure you don’t do it while on a Zoom call.

 

[jpmcwjr]

As is claiming they do not. Everything about pipe smoking is up to personal experience

Indeed, it's all rather personal.

So, I have made no such claim as to quality of the smoke emanating from the bit; though I've been vehement as to how much I don't like them. And I don't believe I've knocked anyone for liking cobs, except in jest, and that rarely.

To each his own.

 

[B.Fee]

Okay yeah you are a schmuk.




Me too. ?

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

So as a new pipe smoker I see a lot of people recommending corn cob pipes for a cheap alternative to see if you like the hobby. I also see them as people having some as a change up of normal briar pipes. Having been smoking nothing but cobs the past months, I smoked a briar for the first time and actually did NOT enjoy it. The flavor was not what I was used to.
My question is, is it just because I’m new to pipe smoking or is it an actual thing to prefer corn cobs all the time? Does preferring the corn cob pipe experience, flavor and price make me a shmuck? I would be interested to hear if there are any people here who mostly smoke corn cobs.
Last thing I will add, I do
Enjoy this as a hobby and not just for utilitarian purposes. But it seems like briar pipes are the “end goal” of every pipe smoker.
Thanks

The pipes that are most comparable to a Cob will be a specific selection of high grade handmade pipes.
Missouri Meerschaum Plastic Stems have near perfect air path geometry, so good that I'd wager no factory Acrylic or Ebonite stem ever made can match its aerodynamic efficiency.
You're going to have to track down the pipemakers who specialize in flawless internal stem geometry to surpass the Corncob experience.

 

[cigrmaster]

Aaaahhhhh, I see. Well, I never thought you were very funny, but you had chutzpah!
If we could could get banned for being pretentious, the whole damned high end pipe market would just drop like lead balloon.
But, I see you're trying out this "nice guy" thing. Mmmmmm... maybe you'll grow into it. Practice, practice, practice... it's not easy. It's like playing the piano, you gotta practice it every day, or you just suck.

I have always been a nice guy trying to help newbies and give recommendations for pipes or tobacco. I just sometimes think

I think I've come close to that line myself. You're alright by me. The relative anonymity of forums makes me braver than I ought to be sometimes.

Edger, I hate to burst your bubble, you are not anonymous. We know where you live, what you do for a living, how much you have in your bank account and whether or not you go commando more than a few times a week. If you would like me to put your ss number on here just let me know. After all I am omnipotent.

 

[edger]

I have always been a nice guy trying to help newbies and give recommendations for pipes or tobacco. I just sometimes think

Edger, I hate to burst your bubble, you are not anonymous. We know where you live, what you do for a living, how much you have in your bank account and whether or not you go commando more than a few times a week. If you would like me to put your ss number on here just let me know. After all I am omnipotent.

I live in AZ. We are all armed to the teeth here (even though few of us have teeth). Metaphors hurt my gums. I still think you're alright, but don't "out" me. OK?