Cob>Briar

[Epip Oc'Cabot]

I have a preponderance of briar pipes and only a small number of cobs. My preference is for briar pipes…..because for me they feel/seem more durable. I also tend to get what I consider a more “tobacco” flavor from the briars. Cons are fine, but for me, even the best cob has occasionally had a bit of “corn” flavor, and a cob for me tends to be “messier” looking and again for me, is more challenging to clean.

I tend to reserve my cobs for when I am feeling more “country”. Or I smoke my cobs when I am very likely to have a greater chance to lose it or damage a pipe.

 

[irishearl]

Cobs ain't very pretty.

 

[filmguerilla]

I keep a couple cobs for aromatics, but otherwise I prefer briar and meerschaum. Cobs always have too small a bowl for my taste and tobacco loves to get stuck in the bottom. They also feel quite cheap to me and I'm always expecting the stem/shaft to come unglued. These days I buy a Morgan Bones before a cob.

 

[karam]

After three decades of smoking and many artisan pipes I've decided Falcons are the greatest pipes ever made. Each to their own.

I was in a pipe shop in Greece years ago and examining some Falcons. The owner said to me “If you buy it you’ll either throw it away or only smoke Falcons from now on”. I didn’t get to know because I didn’t buy it, I just don’t like the aesthetics of Falcons but that’s just personal.

On topic: I have many briars, a few cobs and one meer, they all smoke well and I don’t prefer any over the others.

On the topic of taste, I have noticed that Jeremy Reeves smokes tiny clays when tasting/reviewing a blend, that suggests to me that from a professional’s point of view these must be the cleanest/most neutral pipes. Can clay pipes be fired to burn off any residue?

 

[Chasing Embers]

I just don’t like the aesthetics of Falcons but that’s just personal.

My love of H. R. Giger's art was a contributing factor.

 

[coming to_falling too]

My love of H. R. Giger's art was a contributing factor.

Which bowls do you prefer for your falcon? I have one with a few bowls but they're all somewhat on the small side.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Which bowls do you prefer for your falcon? I have one with a few bowls but they're all somewhat on the small side.

My favorite stock bowls are the the .86"×2" stacks but I really like the meerschaum stacks.

 

[coming to_falling too]

My favorite stock bowls are the the .86"×2" stacks but I really like the meerschaum stacks.

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Oh yeah, those look nice. Are the meer bowls from a particular carver?

I don't know why, but I'm mildly surprised that you are so fond of them haha... Can't say I blame you though. I like mine as well.

 

[JOHN72]

I think the cob is more delicate, the cleaning has to be more careful, the durability is shorter than a briar pipe. The stalk is fitted to the bowl, which is a negative point, as it is more vulnerable. With the briar it is easier to clean and maintain. But in terms of smoking, I like both. And I think that the essence of getting the most out of it, a good aroma, is in the cleanliness of the pipe, among other things. That's my humble opinion.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Oh yeah, those look nice. Are the meer bowls from a particular carver?

I don't know why, but I'm mildly surprised that you are so fond of them haha... Can't say I blame you though. I like mine as well.

Both are from Fatma Tufan. I'll likely get cob and morta bowls for them as well.

 

[coming to_falling too]

Both are from Fatma Tufan. I'll likely get cob and morta bowls for them as well.

Nice. They really are a versatile pipe.

To the OP, I like both corncobs and briars. Both have their strengths. Maybe don't be so quick to dump the briars just yet. If you spend a little more time with them you may find something positive about them.

oh and cobs will still ghost, though

 

[gamzultovah]

I see no difference between any pipe once they are broke in. I find that the cleanest smoking material is Morta (bog oak). If I want to know the true flavor of any tobacco, I reach for my Morta. As far as talking you out of smoking a cob, I wouldn’t as they are wonderful, smoking instruments. I’m smoking a half bent Falcon right now with a meer bowl; excellent smoker. The only advantage I see in briar is the aesthetics. My favorite pipe at the moment is my Peterson 317, full bend system with a fishtail bit. I don’t even notice it in my mouth.

 

[karam]

My love of H. R. Giger's art was a contributing factor.

I love Giger as well, and haven't even yet visited the Giger museum and I live in Switzerland!

 

[Homer]

Picked up two nice briar pipes few months ago ( one staight savinelly and a bent peterson) and been giving them a fair shake as I started with Cobs little over year ago and thought forever pipes sound nice.

Other than the beauty of briar I don't see an advantage. With an upgraede stem on a cob I get a much dryer smoke through a vessel that costs a 10th of the price and don't have to worry about a ghost or being too fussed about taking care of it.

Tell me why I'm wrong you old codgers .

I don’t like cobs. They taste bad after 5 smokes.

 

[MattRVA]

I’m all about cobs these days. I had a bunch of oral surgeries so I had to take a break for a while and I was miserable for it, haha. When I was able to smoke again I went for my cobs and I haven’t put them down since. I think the cob is more forgiving for those of us who may smoke a little fast. I’m not a wealthy person unfortunately, so cobs are easier for me to explore right now. I love all pipes but I’ve never smoked morta or meerschaum. I love the flavor of cobs and their forgiveness. I don’t mind the Danish bits. I’ll move back to briar eventually but honestly my Falcon has been calling my name lately. I think cobs just click with some of us.

 

[didimauw]

I used to think cobs were better than briar. Then I found meerschaum.

And now i cant remember what the other pipe material names are....

 

[elvishrunes]

Cobs belong in one place, the trash can,,,. Realistically if I had no other pipes, I’d be more than happy to smoke captain black in a cob, because I love pipe smoking that much,,, And I have no shame in their aesthetic, but briar and some meer wins for me for the reasons above. And if it’s just about cash, a good basket briar, or estate, or cheap new one like an entry level Brigham or Grabow is still cheaper long term, cause it should last longer…

 

[RPK]

Why is this such an issue?
I don't care if you don't like my choice of pipe, tobacco, if I like it then that's all that matters!

However, if you would like to finance my PAD & TAD then I will gladly like whatever you choose!

 

[Briarcutter]

Cobs have their place, briar has it's place, I don't think it's one or the other. As for Falcons, I think they look cool and a great idea but I prefer not to suck my toxic smoke through toxic metal.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Cobs have their place, briar has it's place,

Yep.