Cob Pipes and the Class Thing
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Missouri Meerschaum cobs are masterpieces of genius form a purely utilitarian perspective. I smoke them exclusively while working at sea because they're the best tool that I have found for the job in that particular environment. However, I always go for briar when lounging at home because the look and feel of a nice pipe most definitely adds to the experience of a leisurely smoke.
Anybody whose opinion I care about knows me well enough not be surprised when they see me smoking a cob. Smoking a pipe for me is purely a means of personal relaxation and enjoyment that needs not be interrupted by fussing over who is watching and what their judgment may be. If the social situation is such that I would feel awkward lighting up a pipe, cob or otherwise, then I'm happy just waiting until another time when I can enjoy my smoke more freely and fully.
I would guess that smoking a cob in public is a fairly reliable indicator of a non pretentious individual. I don't know anybody who smokes a pipe, but if I were to see someone smoking a cob my thought would most likely be that we would get along just fine.
Anybody whose opinion I care about knows me well enough not be surprised when they see me smoking a cob. Smoking a pipe for me is purely a means of personal relaxation and enjoyment that needs not be interrupted by fussing over who is watching and what their judgment may be. If the social situation is such that I would feel awkward lighting up a pipe, cob or otherwise, then I'm happy just waiting until another time when I can enjoy my smoke more freely and fully.
I would guess that smoking a cob in public is a fairly reliable indicator of a non pretentious individual. I don't know anybody who smokes a pipe, but if I were to see someone smoking a cob my thought would most likely be that we would get along just fine.
My briars are workhorses. They don't require babying. Many of my pipes are a century old or older. My oldest is 146 years old. They're all ready for, and deliver, service. How many cobs will do that? I like my cobs. They smoke well. But I doubt that any of them will go the same distance. Briars take a lickin' and keep on tickin'!
Up til the middle of the 19th century, meers and clays ruled the pipe smoking world. Briars offered a tough durable and inexpensive alternative that made them wildly popular. The variety of sizes and chamber shapes guarantees that I can get the most out of my tobaccos and have a smoke of any duration that I want.
The only thing I don't like about a cob is the 'seasoning' period. I enjoy smoking my cobs, usually when I am casting flies. So my association with smoking my cobs is very positive. As another poster remarked, I've gone to the effort to raise the bottom of my cobs with pipe mud so that they are better aligned with the draft hole. I find the taste of a seasoned cob with burley just fits well. That said, I do prefer briar. I love the smell and taste of breaking in a briar pipe.
Here in Germany Corncobs are not common.They are not connected too poor people and they are my favourite pipes. Some people are interested about the material they are made of but normaly they don´t bother. Some kids which still know Popeye call me Popeye the sailorman. 
Only thing I do when I decide to smoke in public like a german beergarden I use a "better looking" pipe like a dark diplomat or country gentlemen.
Only thing I do when I decide to smoke in public like a german beergarden I use a "better looking" pipe like a dark diplomat or country gentlemen.
Public pipe smoking is an oddity. I am proud to be respectable white trash myself, not the same as a redneck IMO. Yes though, the police look harder at a cob than a briar. I generally give them the one finger wave with the hand holding the pipe. I do mean the little finger up, "hello", as opposed to being stupid.
I confess that I use my good pipes when smoking in public. But my good pipes include my newer and better looking cobs along with my briars. I still smoke my trusty and reliable old cobs but mostly at home or outside when I don’t think VIP’s will see me.
Personally, I don't worry too much about what anyone else thinks in regards to whether I'm smoking a beautiful briar, or my MM Charlestowne Cobbler, or one of my MM seconds that doesn't look too straight. I'm smoking them for my pleasure, and I love the feel of a cob, I love how low maintenance they are. I love the fact that I can finish a bowl, knock out the ash, toss it in the seat beside me or in my bag and wipe it out later without worrying if someone slams on their brakes in front of me and it goes flying into the floor board. They're great for knocking about, smoking anywhere, in my opinion. Breaking them in is the best part, albeit a little rough when that tobacco burns down to the wooden shank inside the bowl or you get ash in your mouth because of the large draw when trying to work it through to the bottom each time, but hey, that's why it tastes so much better once broken in. I love all of mine, and I have 8 in total now. I think they catch the eye better sometimes than a briar too, as most briars have a darker coloring to them that sort of blends in until you're up close, but that golden, honey colored cob stands out a mile away, especially when contrasted against my salt'n'pepper beard.
I was at Churchill Downs a month ago around a bunch of guys smoking cigars. I'm not sure people even blinked when I fired up the Dunhill. It seemed very appropriate (with all the ladies hats) and nobody even gave me a sideways glance.
Now a cob in a coat and tie? Yup, I think I would have drawn some stares.
Now a cob in a coat and tie? Yup, I think I would have drawn some stares.
I think cobs are more forgiving in terms of ghosting, so I wouldn't dedicate them to a particular blend. Of the cobs I have I've decided to dedicate a couple to English blends (the Morgan, as its chamber is cubic rather than cylindric, and English blends benefit from squat and wide chamber geometry), and others to aromatics.
Also, apparently, cobs smoke cooler, so if you've got a blend that tends to burn hot, probably the cob is its best friend.
Also, apparently, cobs smoke cooler, so if you've got a blend that tends to burn hot, probably the cob is its best friend.
Sitting here alone in my living room and I still wouldn't be caught dead smoking a cob. They are beneath me in every conceivable way. If I walked by a mirror and saw a cob in my mouth, I would have to scratch my eyes out. Even the thought of having a cob in my home, near my flesh is just too horrific to contemplate.
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