Was wondering everyone's take on Cobs or Briars I have both and now love smoking my Cobs more than my Briars. Now I don't have much pipe smoking under my belt, but just was wondering.
Cobs or Briars?
- Thread starter Hudsona14
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Everyone’s taste varies. I enjoy all kinds of pipes, whether they’re cobs, briar, cherry, Meerschaum, clay, and even plastic.
I like the heft and durability of briar pipes, which can be a life-long investment if you keep track of them and maintain them well, in most cases. Especially if you have a rotation of a dozen pipes, or more, or many more.
But I also savor my cobs a lot, so light weight, so long lasting in their own right. I wouldn't willingly do without them. And my one mere provides an incomparable clarity of flavor I wouldn't want to miss.
But briar is my first rank, for the tradition and shear durability.
But I also savor my cobs a lot, so light weight, so long lasting in their own right. I wouldn't willingly do without them. And my one mere provides an incomparable clarity of flavor I wouldn't want to miss.
But briar is my first rank, for the tradition and shear durability.
Both have their places. I use cob for codger blends. Briar for all the others. Might smoke burley in tins in briar. Still have good number of years before I get there.
As a smoking tool a cob (with acrylic stem, not the plastic ones), a briar or meerschaum are for me the same. For aesthetics I prefer a meerschaum or briar.
Still haven't tried different blends just some cheap tobacco from the shop in town which doesn't cater to the pipe community. Honestly bought pipes and didn't think of different tobaccos. Sadly.
Tha k you for your input. So far I really like my Cobs. My Briars ar great to but finding myself gravitating towards the Cobs more.
I find the natural sweetness of a corncob to pair well with aromatic blends. Aros tend to be a bit messier than others, and if I'm going to foul up a pipe, I'd prefer it be one that costs less than $30. So, for me at least, I like keeping a few cobs around for aros and the occasional codger blend.
That being said, I don't view my cobs as disposable; they are excellent smoking instruments provided you invest in one with a good stem. I also don't feel the need to be as particular when it comes to their cleaning and maintenance, so they are nice when I'm feeling particularly lazy. But I do prefer briars. They are more durable, more aesthetically pleasing*, and just have greater variety in how they are shaped, produced, finished, etc.
*However, I've seen some fancy cobs as of late. The online DIY communities that have sprung up have produced some mightily fine looking cobs that do catch my eye. And, my inner Appalachian does like the looks of cobs, truly. I just like Briars more.
That being said, I don't view my cobs as disposable; they are excellent smoking instruments provided you invest in one with a good stem. I also don't feel the need to be as particular when it comes to their cleaning and maintenance, so they are nice when I'm feeling particularly lazy. But I do prefer briars. They are more durable, more aesthetically pleasing*, and just have greater variety in how they are shaped, produced, finished, etc.
*However, I've seen some fancy cobs as of late. The online DIY communities that have sprung up have produced some mightily fine looking cobs that do catch my eye. And, my inner Appalachian does like the looks of cobs, truly. I just like Briars more.
Your enjoyment is all that matters. It can be fun to try different kinds of pipes when it comes to materials and shapes—explore and have fun.
I'm a fan of clay or ceramic, not that I dislike cob or briar.
It's the dandelion of pipes while briar is a rose. A dandelion will grow comfortably between some crack in the stone while a rose will piss itself over a pine needle in the soil. You can smoke a clay every which way you want, no matter if you like sips or long hot draws. And the taste will always be true. Also affordable for any bum.
It's the dandelion of pipes while briar is a rose. A dandelion will grow comfortably between some crack in the stone while a rose will piss itself over a pine needle in the soil. You can smoke a clay every which way you want, no matter if you like sips or long hot draws. And the taste will always be true. Also affordable for any bum.
I am looking at some clay ones as well. Like the idea of different types and materials.
So far I have briar, cob and clay. There's a difference in taste between each material, the clay of course bringing no own taste to the field. It'll be the same for Meerschaum pipes I figure, no own taste.
The taste of a briar or cob however can elevate a blend that lacks a certain personality.
Many people say that a corn cob pipe becomes equally tasteless after a few smokes but I can't concur.
I consider my sense of palate to be garbage, especially compared to some of the users here but even I taste a difference with cobs.
Go on and get them, taste yourself. Briar and Meerschaum pipes will be the most expensive ones but cob and clay are for everyone and easily affordable. Even antique clay pipes from the 1880's go pretty damn cheap. Waiting for you.
Funny this came up today. I just bought my first cob and smoking a bowl of captain black in it now. Very pleasant for sure. I did not want to smoke aros in my briar pipes. I just got the gentlemen one and seems to fit my need to test some aros out. I tend to like 306 English orientals in the briars and did not want to pollute their taste of them.
SMOKE WHAT YOU ENJOY!
I’m not qualified to speak about cobs, never tried one, but some wonderful people on here love them. I love my briars but recently took the dive into a new Meer and still waiting for some word on the old one I sent to Briarville. Love the Meer. I guess the word of the day is
.
I’m not qualified to speak about cobs, never tried one, but some wonderful people on here love them. I love my briars but recently took the dive into a new Meer and still waiting for some word on the old one I sent to Briarville. Love the Meer. I guess the word of the day is
.
Oh I did make a mistake in the purchase of my cob. I did not check the pipe to see if it was filtered and when I got home found out it was and had no filters for it. Wish, the store clerk had pointed that out to me. Might try a pipe cleaner cut to slide in there. Anyone try that or advise against it?
For the most part, I reserve my cobs for lawnmowing or kayaking or some such activity. I prefer the heft and feel of briar. That said, a cob seems to give a good virginia a flavor boost for me, something like 507C or Newminster 400 in a cob is a delight. Comes across sweeter to me than when in briar or meer.