Cob Draw

[Sanzini]

In growing my pipe count from 2 to 7, I picked up my first MM Cob - a bent country gentleman. The pipe came with a 6mm filter, which I chose to remove on first smoke. I gotta tell you, that pipe had more of a full, open draw than any of my others. Maybe too open for my liking. Is this typical? I plan to try it with the filter next time. Being the fledgling piper that I am, I guess I plan to try everything at least once til I get my groove. Happy to have your thoughts.

Cheers!

 

[Chasing Embers]

Is this typical?

Yep. Many higher grade pipes employ a wide airway as well. You can adjust the draw by packing slightly tighter though I prefer the wide open draw.

 

[pantsBoots]

In growing my pipe count from 2 to 7, I picked up my first MM Cob - a bent country gentleman. The pipe came with a 6mm filter, which I chose to remove on first smoke. I gotta tell you, that pipe had more of a full, open draw than any of my others. Maybe too open for my liking. Is this typical? I plan to try it with the filter next time. Being the fledgling piper that I am, I guess I plan to try everything at least once til I get my groove. Happy to have your thoughts.

Cheers!

Yes, that's typical.

 

[saltedplug]

Rich Newcombe is a published pipe smoker, as well as collector, and he has for years sent every pipe he buys off to a pipe repairman to have its draw opened, which is to say that there's nothing wrong with a cob's draw, but it is quite open. I liked it.

 

[5star]

You might try a Forever Stem on your cob. I have a number of them - acrylic and in Vulcanite. They make a huge improvement in the draw & mouthfeel of a MM cob in my opinion.

 

[krizzose]

, that pipe had more of a full, open draw than any of my others. Maybe too open for my liking. Is this typical?

I don’t know if it’s typical, but it’s too open for you if you think it is. I generally use filters in my cobs exactly for the reason you cite: to close off the draw a bit. I use Savinelli balsas because I don’t like paper filters, and I already have the balsas because I use them in my many Savinellis for the same purpose.

 

[bullet08]

The pipe should draw like McDonald's straw. Not like their coffee stir. You adjust it with packing, tamping and the techniques as needed like Ember mentioned.

 

[Charlie718]

Yup like everyone said it’s normal, my MM bent Country Gent is probably my most smoked cob. Enjoy your new cob!

 

[Country Bladesmith]

It took me a few bowls through cobs before I appreciated the openness of the draw. Now I prefer it. First thing I do when I get a new one is throw away that paper filter thing, and nothing else goes back in there. FWIW, none of my “filtered” pipes have a filter in them.

 

[pantsBoots]

You might try a Forever Stem on your cob. I have a number of them - acrylic and in Vulcanite. They make a huge improvement in the draw & mouthfeel of a MM cob in my opinion.

I just got my first couple yesterday to see if they were better than that awful plastic stem. Happily, they are. It appears Vermont Freehand will have vulcanite models soon and I am looking forward to them.

 

[Sanzini]

I just got my first couple yesterday to see if they were better than that awful plastic stem. Happily, they are. It appears Vermont Freehand will have vulcanite models soon and I am looking forward to them.

Good to know. I will probably look into getting one for my cob. Thanks!

By the way, do you know of any resource other than VF for Forever Stems?

 

[Sanzini]

I don’t know if it’s typical, but it’s too open for you if you think it is. I generally use filters in my cobs exactly for the reason you cite: to close off the draw a bit. I use Savinelli balsas because I don’t like paper filters, and I already have the balsas because I use them in my many Savinellis for the same purpose.

I will try the paper filter that came with the pipe, and maybe see if I can hang with no filter for a bit. But it's good to know I can use the balsas as well. Thanks!

 

[Sanzini]

You might try a Forever Stem on your cob. I have a number of them - acrylic and in Vulcanite. They make a huge improvement in the draw & mouthfeel of a MM cob in my opinion.

Thanks for pointing me to the Forever Stem - I will def look into these. Cheers!

 

[Chasing Embers]

Good to know. I will probably look into getting one for my cob. Thanks

Some artisans have fun making them. I had one commissioned for a friend's wife a few years ago.

 

[mikebjrtx]

I leave the filter out for that wide open draw. I like to use extra fluffy pipe cleaners. If you don’t like using pipe cleaners you’re better off leaving the filter in.

 

[Grangerous]

The cobs narrow chamber,easy draw and the ability to absorb moisture makes it great smoker.

I love the standard black plastic stems. At half a buck each —buy a half dozen and enjoy yourself.

No filters (for me)

Every time I grab an MM it’s ability to provide a great smoke has me shaking my head. So many expensive briars can’t compare.

So light and easy to hold or clench. Cobs are the truth.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

Just asking, why buy a MM with a plastic stem when acrylic versions are available?

 

[Country Bladesmith]

Just asking, why buy a MM with a plastic stem when acrylic versions are available?

There’s nothing wrong with the plastic bits, really. They actually have a perfect airway in my opinion, but they don’t hold up well to tough clenching. I replaced some of mine with homemade vulcanite and acrylic stems, but only because when I’m forging knives in the shop while smoking them it causes me to clench a little too hard when swinging a hammer. If hard clenching isn’t an issue, there’s really no need for acrylic other than preferring the aesthetics of acrylic.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

There’s nothing wrong with the plastic bits, really. They actually have a perfect airway in my opinion, but they don’t hold up well to tough clenching. I replaced some of mine with homemade vulcanite and acrylic stems, but only because when I’m forging knives in the shop while smoking them it causes me to clench a little too hard when swinging a hammer. If hard clenching isn’t an issue, there’s really no need for acrylic other than preferring the aesthetics of acrylic.

It's a personal tactile preference I have for acrylic rather than aesthetics, but I appreciate your point.

 

[CoffeeAndBourbon]

I love the open draw as well and as noted you can adjust the draw with your packing. I also second the forever stems. Many styles and colors to choose from too!