In Praise of The Humble Cob.

[scurvydog]

I put some Walker stems on my two cobs...Good lord they are great!

 

[hans]

I swapped some of the stems in my grab bag and made my country gentleman pipes into straights and they are my very favorite now. I'm also really digging on the legends as well.

Can't wait to get my hands on a Freehand soon. My seconds were all in great shape. the only thing wrong with any of them is maybe a slight ding in the clay. Been smoking trout stream in one all day.
Good idea on using the pony for the twist. I think i'll do something similar with mine. I have some escudo which might be more tolerable in a smaller bowl.

 

[phred]

This is all your fault... just ordered a grab bag of my own. :D
I grew up reading "Lil' Abner", so I've got some bias to get over. Might as well get started.

 

[hans]

Just got a new Cob General with straight stem.

I am loving this long cool smoke. Warms my hand perfectly when I hold it too.

 

[smeigs]

Funny that this post is up. I have about 20 briars or so and I realized that I had 0 cobs! So a few days ago I went to my local BM and picked up to MM cobs. I have been smoking them at work and I really love them. They smoke amazing and I am mad at myself that I waited this long to buy them. Cobs are a must for any pipe smoker!

 

[sparroa]

If you don't like them - fine, free country...
If you haven't tried them - get out there and get one today! You owe it to yourself...
They are THE best value out there in the pipe smoking world.
You don't need a $1000 pipe for that "revelation" or "nirvana" smoke - with the right variables in play it can be achieved with a humble cob for the modest fee of $5-10 depending on where you live...
They are not for everybody but speaking as someone who learned how to smoke a pipe with a Missouri Meerschaum, they can offer you a lot of pleasure and long years of service for a negligible cost.
I've begun to see the light with briars, but that doesn't mean cobs will cease to be my workhorses anytime soon. I am too careful with my "better" pipes to subject them to that trauma!

 

[simnettpratt]

I love cobs. Rustic, farmer's, blue collar, apple pie, can go anywhere pipe. They smoke well, are cheap as shit, and have a unique character all their own. They don't try to be fancy, artistic or extravagant, they just smoke. Great outdoors pipes. Fishing, hunting, camping, whatever. Cobs are good for the soul.
If I see a man smoking a cob, there's a good chance we're going to get along.

 

[sparroa]

For the record I have never seen another individual smoking a corn cob pipe, but if I do I shall strike up a chat with them!

 

[Perique]

It's hard to beat an MM cob with a Foreverstem. In fact I'm smoking one right now

 

[oldredbeard]

Wow, I just posted in another thread, that I have to try one. And then ran across this thread. You guys have me really wanting now.

 

[wildcat]

I've been on an Estate cob kick lately. Like new cobs they are great smokers, are fun to rehab and, depending on the style/age, they bring an old school look to the table not available in new cobs today. Finding the right deal is the issue, some sellers want way, way too much for them. But if I can walk away with one or two at less than or equal to what new costs AND enjoy the refurb AND have something unique... Winner, Winner corn cob dinner!!

 

[chakaraka]

My first and currently only pipe is a MM Legend. I have a Great Dane Spool and Missouri Pride in straight stems en route to me with my first briar. I do get a bit of a razzing from my lady about looking like Popeye or Frosty when I smoke. But for the money paid (and mine was $15 at a B&M) it is hard to beat and will likely remain my Aro pipe when I have a real rotation and tobacco choices. That woody stem burning flavour is almost gone and I am considering grinding off the rest of the protruding stem and mudding it up level. The main reasons for this are that I am a tinkerer and I can rarely finish the bottom of the bowl (and think this modification may solve that).
::
I'd also love to see more photos of vintage cobs. Who knew they were made so ornately. Cool stuff.

 

[wildcat]

I'd also love to see more photos of vintage cobs. Who knew they were made so ornately. Cool stuff.

Here's another on it's way to me. Haven't seen it in person yet.

I'm on the hunt for a few of this type.

 

[yadan]

Nothing lowly about cobs except the price. I've smoked 'prestige' pipe including Dunhills, and IMHO my Country Gents beat beat out everything else except my Falcons. I'll pick up another one this week for sure! :D At the moment I'm savoring some Dunhill EMP in one of the Gents. What a pleasure! ::

 

[Perique]

Wildcat, those cobs are amazing. Where does one find such a pipe?

 

[hans]

Just got an unsmoked old stock MM freehand from eBay. The pictures weren't great but I pulled the trigger at only $17 it was a steal.

Once it got here it had a bit of oxidation on the stem which I took care of and sweetened the pipe with some Bulleit Rye whiskey.

Best part about this pipe is that it has the cob stummel that they don't make anymore.
Smoking it out right now with some lane 1q mixed with escudo. Not too bad so far.

 

[hans]

 

[irishsmoker]

I just got a MM general! Getting ready to take it for a spin with some PS English Oriental!

 

[hans]

I just got a general last week too and it's really great!

 

[wildcat]

Wildcat, those cobs are amazing. Where does one find such a pipe?

On the bay, briarbid, antique shops, shows, etc...