Guide Me on Cobs

[paulfg]

i have never smoked a cob pipe and would like to try one but I dont know which to buy.
I have found somewhere here in Greece that sells them although not as cheap as in the US

Μissouri Μeerschaum

Μissouri Μeerschaum. Read more

cassano.gr

So I know it is better to get one with the hardwood plug in the bottom but which ones are they?
I have read that the stems are a bit soft,any recommendations? I see the emerald has an acrylic stem is it harder wearing?
What models are recommended? I smoke mainly flake and most of my briars are in the 0.75 inch diameter x 1.5 -2 inch depth range

 

[solideogloria86]

As long as it's made by Missouri Meershaum, you're in good shape. If you prefer an acrylic bit to the soft plastic, go for it. Any model with an acrylic stem, should come with a hardwood plug. The Emerald will be just as good a choice as any. Any of them will be excellent smokers.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

To me at least, the small ones are really small. Too small. Buy a couple in the shape you like, I'd get the standard stem. They're not great but not terrible and it keeps the cost down. The Tom Sawyer looked like a decent one.

 

[lawdawg]

Of those selections, I would get the diplomat. My favorites are the diplomat and washington. The diplomat comes with their nicer stem. It's still cheap, but does the job just fine.

 

[didimauw]

Pick one that you like the look of and run with it. They are all great pipes. The hardwood bottom is what I believe a gimmick. I've never burned through the part of the shank to worry about it burning to the bottom
. It just gets caked over like the rest of the chamber.

My favorites are the legends. 5th Ave legends and Rob Roy legends. But I prefer the more yellow color in the "legend series" than the whiter ones.

 

[spicy_boiii]

Based on your preferences, I can highly suggest either the general or the 5th Avenue diplomat. I own several and they have been great pipes.

 

[didimauw]

Oh I should ad that I HATE the original stems. They make another option, the "danish" stem for less than a dollar if you can get em. They aren't as sharp on the tongue as the originals.

 

[warren]

I don't have a problem with the original stems, they are soft, very soft. I rarely have one in my possession long enough to destroy a stem. You didn't say if the seller in Greece is close enough to visit. If it is, take a look at the assortment, cobs vary greatly in size. Or, call or text and order up a couple of medium sized for your first foray into the realm of corn cob pipes. They are enjoyable smokers.

 

[lawdawg]

Oh I should ad that I HATE the original stems. They make another option, the "danish" stem for less than a dollar if you can get em. They aren't as sharp on the tongue as the originals.

The "Danish" stems come on the Diplomat model I mentioned. As @didimauw said, they are quite a bit better than the regular stems.

 

[Inspired Idler]

Can't go wrong with any of them IMO. I like the Morgan for a shorter smoke. I like the black original stems the best because they are slightly softer than the acrylic.

 

[paulfg]

ordered a 5th ave diplomat bent and a county gent straight ,should have them by the end of the week.
then I can see what its all about

 

[paulfg]

The "Danish" stems come on the Diplomat model I mentioned. As @didimauw said, they are quite a bit better than the regular stems.

are the danish stems the acrylic ones?
I ordered a 5th ave diplomat

now the question filter or no.
I have read many say throw them away ,and as I dont have any 6mm filters unless they are included with the pipe I must go commando

 

[smokiespipesmoker123]

The cheapo plastic stems are totally fine.. I put a softy bit on all of em...

 

[didimauw]

are the danish stems the acrylic ones?
I ordered a 5th ave diplomat

now the question filter or no.
I have read many say throw them away ,and as I dont have any 6mm filters unless they are included with the pipe I must go commando

They aren't acrylic just a seemingly better quality plastic.

Filters I don't use on a cob, but I use them on my Grabows. You don't need them, but the cobs have a very open draw. I like that, but some people don't.

 

[Briar Lee]

i have never smoked a cob pipe and would like to try one but I dont know which to buy.
I have found somewhere here in Greece that sells them although not as cheap as in the US

Μissouri Μeerschaum

Μissouri Μeerschaum. Read more

cassano.gr

So I know it is better to get one with the hardwood plug in the bottom but which ones are they?
I have read that the stems are a bit soft,any recommendations? I see the emerald has an acrylic stem is it harder wearing?
What models are recommended? I smoke mainly flake and most of my briars are in the 0.75 inch diameter x 1.5 -2 inch depth range

I’ve carefully gone over your selections, and recommend by all means to select the most expensive Emerald models for your first cob pipe, and avoid the smaller pipes, and cheaper pipes.

The standard sized, standard model pipe is the filter Washington size bowl with the amber plastic stem. These are sold in pharmacies all across the United States.


You are of course paying a premium for an imported article outside the USA.

At the factory in Washington, Missouri, which is just impossibly small river town Missouri, more than you could dream, about fifteen genuine native Missourians whose fathers, grandfathers, and great grandfathers worked all their lives on the same machines, in the same factory, turn every pipe by hand, often on 150 year old machines.

The hardwood plugs are not considered a gimmick, but require a larger cob, that needs a hardwood plug glued in to prevent the extremely soft and brittle core from soaking up tars and eventually falling out. Only the better pipes, get those plugs.

The Emerald series is a special. It’s not sold in drug stores. What makes it special is a green acrylic stem, that you’ll not be able to bite through or wear out.

An Emerald will be turned by the best hands in the factory, using their best and largest cobs, and it’s an honor to make them. The Charles Towne model looks the same special, using a red acrylic stem.

But if you must choose a twenty Euro model, my favorite of those is the Dublin shaped Mark Twain, or any Diplomat. They will have a large, hardwood plugged bowl, but an ordinary production stem.



The cheapest pipes are considered disposable items sold in check out lines in big drug stores, or at big general merchandise superstores.

When you see a model that’s larger, with a hardwood plug, and especially one with an expensive acrylic stem, that one is for a pipe smoker who owns a lot of other pipes.

They make the cheapest models with pride.

But only the proudest of a proud crew, get to turn the specials.

 

[karam]

Hey Paul, when i lived in Greece i ordered a Dagner poker and a MacArthur straight from MM. The little poker gets smoked a lot, the big one sub 10 times as it’s impractical. Both are good pipes, but the dainty poker is a keeper! It’s good for a 30-45 min smoke despite looking very small.

 

[HopHand]

I agree with @didimauw
Love the Rob Roy and 5th Ave. Legends. The size weight and texture is perfect.
As for soft stems. I chew mine with sadistic vigor but they are cheap so when I ordered my second pipe I ordered 20 stems and again on my next pipe order. ?‍

 

[perdurabo]

The Rob Roy, I don’t know why but I love them. I’ve got quite a few.

 

[The Amish Tyrant]

The Charles Towne Cobbler has an acrylic stem with a larger bowl and is under $30.

It was made with C&D as a partner project and is a little nicer looking too.

 

[F4RM3R]

Many choices! I’d first check the chamber sizes to help decide. The country gentleman is .75x1.5. I’ve never had a hardwood bottom but I haven’t had any problems on the models without them.