Hey all, I’ve got six pipes, all briar and I was thinking about getting a corn cob. How do they compare to briar, do they last very long, can you make your own from this evenings dinner? Any musings on the subject welcomed.
Corn Cobs - what’s the skinny?
- Thread starter CurlingWisps
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The only reason that I almost always smoke briars is aesthetic.
From a functional standpoint -- and as regards those elements of pipe enjoyment that are not aesthetic -- cobs are easily on par on most counts (if not superior).
They smoke dry, they smoke sweet, they have an open draw. What more do you want?
Counter-intuitively they seem to last forever. Seriously, if you manage the carbon cake well, their lifespan seems indefinite.
You won't be happy with trying to drill out your eating cob from dinner, no -- the cob makers have selectively bred for very large cobs, and our eating varieties don't work well.
They're cheap and so ideal for the garden, the truck, fishing, etc. because if you bust one, you're out $10 vs. $100.
If you like to sprawl out by the Mississippi barefoot under a straw hat with a cane pole in the water, they fit aesthetically just fine. Otherwise, well, they aren't heirloom pieces but they smoke better than many briars.
From a functional standpoint -- and as regards those elements of pipe enjoyment that are not aesthetic -- cobs are easily on par on most counts (if not superior).
They smoke dry, they smoke sweet, they have an open draw. What more do you want?
Counter-intuitively they seem to last forever. Seriously, if you manage the carbon cake well, their lifespan seems indefinite.
You won't be happy with trying to drill out your eating cob from dinner, no -- the cob makers have selectively bred for very large cobs, and our eating varieties don't work well.
They're cheap and so ideal for the garden, the truck, fishing, etc. because if you bust one, you're out $10 vs. $100.
If you like to sprawl out by the Mississippi barefoot under a straw hat with a cane pole in the water, they fit aesthetically just fine. Otherwise, well, they aren't heirloom pieces but they smoke better than many briars.
Cobs smoke fine. You can taste the cob burning or the wooden stem if you get them too hot by smoking too hard. They can last for years if you treat them right. I.E. don't smoke too hot, let them dry out between use. Cheap enough to dedicate to single types of Aromatics.
You could make out out of left over dinner scraps but it would be small and not worth the effort IMHO.
You could make out out of left over dinner scraps but it would be small and not worth the effort IMHO.
just get one. They're different but not that much. And as far as last long if you don't abuse them yes. But if you got six briars get a cob, if for no other reason then having a pipe you can enjoy and accidentally drop into a chasm and think I'll buy another. I love cobs totally prefer briars but the cob is different enough to be worth having one. And if you don't like it they're not super expensive. Get a cob.
Can you make one yeah but it won't last. The corn cob pipe existed for a long time as literally that. As in take a cob carve it out shove a reed into it and smoke it. That works but is very disposable. Kind of like the pipe version of rolling papers.
One thing too is cobs seem to love certain blends. A lot of aromatics that smoke kind of too hot wet and harsh for my tastes will smoke like a dream in a cob. Some blends are muted by a cob but never for me to a point of ruining the blend (just better in briar).
And finally in a bang for your buck the cob beats a briar.
Okay, let’s get into it.
1. Have you ever dated your sister?
2. Have you ever gone to a family reunion to find a date?
3. Is your family tree a taproot?
If you answered “YES” to one or more of those questions, you’ll really enjoy a cob.
If you answered “No”, then your briars are just fine.
1. Have you ever dated your sister?
2. Have you ever gone to a family reunion to find a date?
3. Is your family tree a taproot?
If you answered “YES” to one or more of those questions, you’ll really enjoy a cob.
If you answered “No”, then your briars are just fine.
Why did you do me dirty like that?
It's worth the ten dollar risk to try it.
As for the OP. I’m a fan of cobs. My favourite is actually an extra short Kirsten with cob bowl.
At their price, it is worth trying one, as is a tavern clay pipe.
However, have you considered a meerschaum for your 7th pipe?
At their price, it is worth trying one, as is a tavern clay pipe.
However, have you considered a meerschaum for your 7th pipe?
Especially if it means you get to the free shipping threshold
Cheap enough to try one out. Cheap enough to throw it in the garbage as well. I did both!
Wife upped and left you? Dog upped and died? Heard that old train whistle a-blowin'? Time to get a cob.
My cobs are my best smoking pipes. I work my Country Gentleman 5-6 times a week with no issue. Have had it for 4+ years. No issues. Not bad for $15.
I'm currently smoking some Gentleman Caller in a MM Great Dane. I've been smoking this one several times a week for 15 years. They are great clenchers so good for when you're using your hands.
Ive got a couple I bought over 20 years ago that are still kicking.
Ive got a couple I bought over 20 years ago that are still kicking.
Get one, try it out. If you don't like it you are out 10$ If you do like it, well you got a pipe for 10$ that you will enjoy. Really a win win situation, unless you live in CA where cobs come with the warning label they are known to cause cancer.
The quality of cobs can vary drastically. I don’t like the flimsy plastic stems on the cheapest offerings. I prefer the reed stems on the Old Dominion pipes. Very lightweight and easy to clench. I have one of these with a narrow, and somewhat tall bowl. Great for smoking Virginia flake while fishing.
They always strike me as a remnant from a bygone age. Pipes literally grown to satisfy the needs of a continent worth of pipe smokers. Pipes and bacci grown side by side (or thereabouts). Not sure that is where pipe smoking is right now. I do own a country gentleman, but the bowl is too narrow and I can only get about a ten minute smoke from it. On the plus side, it is a nice open draw, and I know the tobacco is finished when I can smell burning smoke from the stem lol.