Cobs - Protruding Stem Issue!

[JSPiper71]

So let me start off by saying I love my little cob that was gifted by @ben88 ! I’ve been using it 90% of the time because it’s small and a perfect size for smoking a quick bowl. Also, I don’t mind clamping down on the stem when for the most part it’s essential to keep my hands in my jacket pocket just to keep them warm enough for me to manipulate my lighter if the damn thing goes out. It’s cold as hell here right now and you wouldn’t believe the dedication and persistence it takes to smoke a pipe in a Canadian January!

Anyway, what’s with cobs and the stem protruding into the bowl so much? it’s like a massive straw that needs to be clipped. I’ve since bought two more and researched them a lot and they all seem to have this. Pure engineering necessity? I know they are inexpensive, but it can’t be that hard to keep the edge of the insert in line with the inner bowl. How do you guys contend with the last 10 minutes? After either inhaling straight flame onto my tongue or inhaling a big pile of dottle, I’ve begun making sure to dig out the remaining tobacco from below and around the large protruding stem opening and tamping it down onto the one side of the bowl over top it. Then I came across these. I think this may be an answer. These are small stainless balls that you press into the bottom of the bowl to keep the tobacco from sitting on the briar. I don’t see me ever using them for a regular pipe, but have the idea that this a good solution for my cob issue above.

thoughts??

 

[reloader]

I have some of those. They'll work for what you need. The only time I use them is when I have some really moist tobacco and don't want to wait for it to dry. I'll put one in the bottom, load the pipe and away I go. Don't use them in my cobs though.

 

[Simmerdown☕️]

Well, the way I’ve dealt with your concern is to smoke the pipe down til the shank is charred good. After that, it’s carbonized (aka caked) and you are good to go. It take me approximately 5-7 bowls to get there. ?️

 

[ben88]

I remove that piece.
Step 1 - remove plastic bit and ferule.
Step 2 - nuke the pipe for 20 seconds
Step 3 - pull out and trim the shank
Step 4 - glue shank back into the pipe with carpenter's glue
Step 5 - mud the pipe to raise the bottom (optional)

 

[JSPiper71]

I remove that piece.
Step 1 - remove plastic bit and ferule.
Step 2 - nuke the pipe for 20 seconds
Step 3 - pull out and trim the shank
Step 4 - glue shank back into the pipe with carpenter's glue
Step 5 - mud the pipe to raise the bottom (optional)

Genius Leon. Cigar ash for the win!! You‘re d’Man! I’m thinking my little stainless mesh balls are a gold temporary option before I have a chance to get modify for the longhaul.

 

[KaunThePiper]

I personally leave it and let it burn to char. It's the tiny break in period of a cob. I have found once you remove that, you don't get an even burn down to the dottle. But this is subjective. But I will so go look at some of the cobmodders on Instagram. Some great artisans doing cool stuff with cobs

 

[anotherbob]

you could get one of the better cobs in my opinion. The bamboo reed ones.

 

[JOHN72]

I honestly don't mind that error. In a cheap pipe of corn cob................That's what a famous pipe like the MM has. Manual original manufacturing. Your stamp of identity

 

[Christos D. Tsatsaronis]

It will burn and disappear after all...

 

[Duck]

You just clean it with a twist of tissue. Leave the ash that settles at the side of the protrusion. It'll form pipe mud, which along with the charred stem forms a nicely shaped base for the chamber and protects the bottom of the bowl.

 

[Morrison Jeremiah]

I don't smoke cobs anymore, but when I did I would do what @ben88 does, and then fill in that stupid indentation at the bottom of the chamber with modelling clay, until flush with the the draught hole and leave to dry for a couple of days.
A big and necessary improvement IMO.

 

[JOHN72]

It will burn and disappear after all...

Same...........

 

[captpat]

I remove that piece.
Step 1 - remove plastic bit and ferule.
Step 2 - nuke the pipe for 20 seconds
Step 3 - pull out and trim the shank
Step 4 - glue shank back into the pipe with carpenter's glue
Step 5 - mud the pipe to raise the bottom (optional)

Another option is to use a small chisel or Exacto knife to trim the bit of stem that extends into the bowl, then pipe mud the bottom.

 

[tbradsim1]

No problem, pump some Fireplace Motar repair down there, smooth it over, and Viola No Problem!

 

[monty55]

It bothered me a little in the beginning, but I've learned to deal with it. Having said that, I have noticed that if you buy a "bent" style cob, the shank goes into the pummel at an angle and ends up closer to the bottom of the bowl, as opposed to a "straight" style cob where the shank enters at a 90-degree angle to the pummel.

 

[JSPiper71]

Another option is to use a small chisel or Exacto knife to trim the bit of stem that extends into the bowl, then pipe mud the bottom.

That's what the guy in the video does. Good option. He said that he couldn't remove the shank but Ben's microwave trick may overcome the glue.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I don't do anything to it, whatever happens over time happens. Over time, it generally chars and fills in on each side.

 

[PipeIT]

@JSPiper71

Here’s your answer.

Missouri Meerschaum Explains Shank In Bowl Bottom :: Pipe Smoking Basics & Beginner Questions

Hello Pipers! Just like myself, and for those that wondered about the shank at the bottom of the bowl you might see in a Missouri Meerschaum, they explained it to me, because I know some people like to burn it out over time. ——————————— We assemble our pipes so the spoon on the shank goes all...

pipesmagazine.com

You’re not suppose to burn them out.

 

[mingc]

You smoke it. Extra flavor at no extra cost.

 

[JSPiper71]

Here's my immediate solution. Think it will work well. Bought these from an old timer online and made a new friend in the meantime.