I'm not one of the many. Cobs for me are throwaway pipes, great for in the shop, doing yard work etc. no big loss if one succumbs to the lawn mower or tractor. Plus they are inexpensive -- so I don't invest much time in care beyond the basics. I do take better care of my briars, meers, mortas.I think many pipe smokers are like this about their pipes in general, briars included.