I guess I am a total late bloomer on this one but, after two years, I finally tried a cob pipe. I know we don't generally review pipes, but I think this might be useful for the newer guys. Those who are hesitant about giving a cob a try. Besides, these are readily available, and cheaper than a tin, so what the hell. Here is a my humble opinion, after smoking exclusively from briars for two years.
It started on Thursday. My box from 4noggins had arrived, it was lunch time, and I couldn't wait to tear into it. I popped open the box to find a well padded plastic bag with my new Missouri Meerschaum Diplomat inside. Itching to give it a shot, a laid out some Old Dark Fired to dry and prayed for a sudden dry heat to overtake my kitchen.
First, aesthetics. I love the look, classic and somewhat rustic. It was heavier than I expected it to be, but not too heavy to clench. Just enough weight to feel nice in the hand. And to keep it sitting when sat down. The shape, also, is great in hand. My overall opinion at that point was "well, it seems tougher than I expected." I looked down the bowl (yes, I was clueless) and spotted the shank protruding into the bowl. I did a quick google search to confirm it's normality, then tried clenching it to see about comfort. I have to say, the plastic bit is fairly soft for a pipe stem, but that does seem to make a comfortable clench.
I was running short on time, so I ended up yanking out the filter and packing it with ODF that was still a bit too wet for my liking. I walked outside and fired it up. Nice open draw, smooth flavor. Ok, I thought, seems good so far. Then there is that protruding shank thing again. The draft is a beveled cut, and the thin wood on the top side will burn. And taste rough. Like smoking a log rough. But, I had read that this was part of the break in process, so I just set the pipe down and let the coals cook the shank a bit before dumping the ash. Which, surprisingly, is exactly what I dumped. Ash. Not dottle. I smiled. So far, so good.
Anyhow, I decided to abuse this little cob a bit to see if it was up to the challenge of being my pipe. So I smoked about 5 bowls that first evening through it. Then about 6 more the next day. Then a few more this morning. All ODF, this sucker is dedicated now. It just tastes so damn good in this cob. No issues, the cob can take a beating. After about 6 bowls most of the inner shank had burned off (I had been scraping at the charred wood with a pipe nail after every bowl) and the taste was good all the way through. I smoked hot, fast and repetitively. Not once did the bowl get hot, not once did I slurp up any moisture. The bowl didn't burn, although I did char the rim a touch, but I think it looks good that way. Every smoke has been amazing. I love the draw, nice and open, good for clenching. I like the mild cob flavor. I love that it can handle anything and still smoke amazing. And of course, I love that it was less than 10 bucks. The only downside, as many have mentioned, is the stem. After days of heavy clenching, it looks like I have been chewing it. It is comfortable, but it looks rough. And I wish it had been about a half inch shorter. Forever stem here I come.
I will, without a doubt, be picking up more cobs. They cost roughly the same as a pack of smokes. I could buy one a week and not blink. If I butcher one, oh well. Easy on the eyes, palate and wallet. You can't beat that. My only regret is not having tried one sooner.
It started on Thursday. My box from 4noggins had arrived, it was lunch time, and I couldn't wait to tear into it. I popped open the box to find a well padded plastic bag with my new Missouri Meerschaum Diplomat inside. Itching to give it a shot, a laid out some Old Dark Fired to dry and prayed for a sudden dry heat to overtake my kitchen.
First, aesthetics. I love the look, classic and somewhat rustic. It was heavier than I expected it to be, but not too heavy to clench. Just enough weight to feel nice in the hand. And to keep it sitting when sat down. The shape, also, is great in hand. My overall opinion at that point was "well, it seems tougher than I expected." I looked down the bowl (yes, I was clueless) and spotted the shank protruding into the bowl. I did a quick google search to confirm it's normality, then tried clenching it to see about comfort. I have to say, the plastic bit is fairly soft for a pipe stem, but that does seem to make a comfortable clench.
I was running short on time, so I ended up yanking out the filter and packing it with ODF that was still a bit too wet for my liking. I walked outside and fired it up. Nice open draw, smooth flavor. Ok, I thought, seems good so far. Then there is that protruding shank thing again. The draft is a beveled cut, and the thin wood on the top side will burn. And taste rough. Like smoking a log rough. But, I had read that this was part of the break in process, so I just set the pipe down and let the coals cook the shank a bit before dumping the ash. Which, surprisingly, is exactly what I dumped. Ash. Not dottle. I smiled. So far, so good.
Anyhow, I decided to abuse this little cob a bit to see if it was up to the challenge of being my pipe. So I smoked about 5 bowls that first evening through it. Then about 6 more the next day. Then a few more this morning. All ODF, this sucker is dedicated now. It just tastes so damn good in this cob. No issues, the cob can take a beating. After about 6 bowls most of the inner shank had burned off (I had been scraping at the charred wood with a pipe nail after every bowl) and the taste was good all the way through. I smoked hot, fast and repetitively. Not once did the bowl get hot, not once did I slurp up any moisture. The bowl didn't burn, although I did char the rim a touch, but I think it looks good that way. Every smoke has been amazing. I love the draw, nice and open, good for clenching. I like the mild cob flavor. I love that it can handle anything and still smoke amazing. And of course, I love that it was less than 10 bucks. The only downside, as many have mentioned, is the stem. After days of heavy clenching, it looks like I have been chewing it. It is comfortable, but it looks rough. And I wish it had been about a half inch shorter. Forever stem here I come.
I will, without a doubt, be picking up more cobs. They cost roughly the same as a pack of smokes. I could buy one a week and not blink. If I butcher one, oh well. Easy on the eyes, palate and wallet. You can't beat that. My only regret is not having tried one sooner.
