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dctune

Part of the Furniture Now
I’ve posted this pic a couple times tonight. But I’ve got a question for you.

I have 3 cobs now. And each of the other two smoked/tasted great the very first time. Like how I expect a con to be.

Well, this new MM Elf Cobbit tastes like a pipe that needs breaking in.

Anyone else ever experienced this with a cob before? First time for me. Thought the cobs were supposed to be good to go from the get go.
DA706E66-B6DC-4236-8552-665BFC2FD596.jpeg
 

dctune

Part of the Furniture Now
Patience Grasshopper!............ 5-6 bowls and you will be rewarded. I've had a few that take some time, but the time is well worth it-- they turn to be excellent smokers, so you got a good one there! Enjoy!
This cob in particular actually feels quite a bit sturdier than my other two. I’m impressed with the craftsmanship tbh. I didn’t expect it to be much different than my Mark Twain and Merrick Cob Poker. Just a semi churchwarden. But this one feels completely different. Even the stem and band are better. I’m happy to have it!
 

dctune

Part of the Furniture Now
Sounds like you got lucky with the first two. Even meerschaum needs a few smokes ran through it to smoke just right.
Must have! I’ve been smoking pipes on-again /off-again for over 20 years. (This time, I don’t foresee an off-again. Think I’m just gonna ride it out for my “second half” of life. Lol.) Got my first cob about 2 months ago. I did not realize they had break-in periods. Good to know.

Can’t say precisely what it is about cobs, but I personally find them pretty special and enjoyable. I didn’t expect I’d be this taken with them when I bought my Mark Twain. In fact, I didn’t expect much at all. Just a utility taste-tester. But I was pleasantly surprised. I’m a fan.
 

beefeater33

Lifer
Apr 14, 2014
4,266
6,836
Central Ohio
Must have! I’ve been smoking pipes on-again /off-again for over 20 years. (This time, I don’t foresee an off-again. Think I’m just gonna ride it out for my “second half” of life. Lol.) Got my first cob about 2 months ago. I did not realize they had break-in periods. Good to know.

Can’t say precisely what it is about cobs, but I personally find them pretty special and enjoyable. I didn’t expect I’d be this taken with them when I bought my Mark Twain. In fact, I didn’t expect much at all. Just a utility taste-tester. But I was pleasantly surprised. I’m a fan.
They are much more than "utility taste -testers"............ Take care of them and they can last 30-40 years, and they do get better with age. The Stems are their weak point in my opinion, but that can be remedied with a good quality replacement. Cobs are GREAT smokers, don't pay attention to what @cosmicfolklore says................... puffy
 

dctune

Part of the Furniture Now
They are much more than "utility taste -testers"............ Take care of them and they can last 30-40 years, and they do get better with age. The Stems are their weak point in my opinion, but that can be remedied with a good quality replacement. Cobs are GREAT smokers, don't pay attention to what @cosmicfolklore says................... puffy
My other two have cheap little plastic stems that are just begging to be chewed on. And my Merrick Poker stem came extremely loose out of the box. I’ve been giving it the Q-tip water treatment since Christmas morn.

But this Elf Cobbit one is acrylic. Feels great.

I’ve looked into those Forever Stems. Kinda hard to find, I guess? Gonna have to get something for the other two.
 

beefeater33

Lifer
Apr 14, 2014
4,266
6,836
Central Ohio
My other two have cheap little plastic stems that are just begging to be chewed on. And my Merrick Poker stem came extremely loose out of the box. I’ve been giving it the Q-tip water treatment since Christmas morn.

But this Elf Cobbit one is acrylic. Feels great.

I’ve looked into those Forever Stems. Kinda hard to find, I guess? Gonna have to get something for the other two.
I think Vermont Freehand still sells them........... but I'm not 100% sure.
Funny, that I despise acrylic stems on my briars, but I tend to love them on my cobs........... ?‍♂️
 

Chasing Embers

Captain of the Black Frigate
Nov 12, 2014
45,544
121,056

trouttimes

Lifer
Nov 26, 2018
6,331
25,853
Lake Martin, AL
I always thought it'd be cool if MM made a cob pipe with the kernels intact, and that plaster of Paris smeared on between the kernels, then wiped off, just enough to show the golden grain........... it would make for a heavy, chunky, pipe....... but people like custombilts..... right?
Hard to vision. I would like to see just what that would look like. Might smoke cool.
 

jpmcwjr

Lifer
May 12, 2015
26,264
30,360
Carmel Valley, CA
I always thought it'd be cool if MM made a cob pipe with the kernels intact, and that plaster of Paris smeared on between the kernels, then wiped off, just enough to show the golden grain........... it would make for a heavy, chunky, pipe....... but people like custombilts..... right?
Hell, yeah! Why not make a couple yourself? Way easier than gluing kernels onto an existing cob.....