cobs do smoke cool. In fact they're great pipes in many ways. I prefer Briar but if you don't have any cobs you really are not doing yourself any favors. I actually prefer cobs for situations where I either may lose or damage a pipe or even when doing anything more attention grabbing then smoking. I look at them less as cool smoking and as more forgiving of careless technique. Also certain blends just pop in a cob (no pun fully intended, just slightly) not the popular opinion but for example I think certain English style blends are amazing in a cob.
Or long story short get one if you have never tried one.