Lifespan of a Cracked Cob

[kg.legat0]

Greetings! I have dozens of cobs and appreciate each one as it's own unique pipe. I have several nice briars in my collection but always return to cobs and smoke them exclusively on my daily hour+ commutes.

My favorite cobs have some pretty deep cracks at this point. They don't seem to be getting worse and they all still hold a seal, so it doesn't seem they have cracked the whole way though...

With that in mind, is it inevitable that these cobs will burn out or is the cracking/expanding just part of the natural life cycle of a cob? Many of these are getting close to two years old, from my early days of piping when I would always end up with a hot pipe ...my newer pipes reflect a bit more experience and seem to chip/crack at a much slower rate.

I guess it doesn't matter as they are all "cheap" pipes...but the cracked ones are just so well broken in, they always give me a great smoke.

Cheers!

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Did... Jimmy crack cob? Ehhh... I don't care.

 

[mso489]

Cobs don't last like briar, and I know that from watching my dad in his continual all-day Granger smoking. But I've never had one crack, so I can't tell you much more. I consider them more-or-less permanent pipes, but I have enough cobs so that if one cracked beyond smoking, I'd pick up another. I buy the series with acrylic stems, figuring most will be around for some time to come. When they crack, I'd guess you have about fifty bowls to go in that pipe.

 

[kg.legat0]

Cobs don't last like briar, and I know that from watching my dad in his continual all-day Granger smoking. But I've never had one crack, so I can't tell you much more. I consider them more-or-less permanent pipes, but I have enough cobs so that if one cracked beyond smoking, I'd pick up another. I buy the series with acrylic stems, figuring most will be around for some time to come. When they crack, I'd guess you have about fifty bowls to go in that pipe.

Thanks for your thoughts --I am glad that I have a good supply of them, for sure. I have wanted to get a forever stem for quite some time, too. Fifty bowls is a good marker in my opinion too, gives you plenty of time yet sets a reasonable timeline

 

[alaskanpiper]

I know fishnbanjo used to mud them up and make them last longer. I'm sure someone here can point you toward that thread, or you may be able to find it on your own. Or, you know, you could just buy another one for $5.

 

[kg.legat0]

I know fishnbanjo used to mud them up and make them last longer. I'm sure someone here can point you toward that thread, or you may be able to find it on your own. Or, you know, you could just buy another one for $5.

I would definitely be up for reading that! And, I am in luck because I get legends for, iirc, $2.85 ...I just like the older ones because they are so broken in and smoke so well. I think I have 3-4 unsmoked cobs on the shelf just waiting for their call to duty ...for now tho, I will keep choochin' on these cracked ones!

 

[alaskanpiper]

I would definitely be up for reading that! And, I am in luck because I get legends for, iirc, $2.85 ...I just like the older ones because they are so broken in and smoke so well. I think I have 3-4 unsmoked cobs on the shelf just waiting for their call to duty ...for now tho, I will keep choochin' on these cracked ones!

Although I'm not sure this is the one I was looking for (I seem to remember more detail) you can find fishnbanjos cob repair and maintenance methods in this thread. The repair post is on page 3 I think:

Corn Cob Pipes :: Pipe Talk

I post quite often about smoking my MM Diplomat with Plum Forever Stem and whatever tobacco I've chosen. What many don't know is through the course of a year I smoke that pipe 4 times a day. Given the pipe is 8 y/o it has been smoked more than 10,000 times, had the original stem replaced with...

pipesmagazine.com

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

I cracked a few of my cobs and I also dont care. They still smoke good, feels like they'll last forever.

 

[kg.legat0]

Although I'm not sure this is the one I was looking for (I seem to remember more detail) you can find fishnbanjos cob repair and maintenance methods in this thread. The repair post is on page 3 I think:

Corn Cob Pipes :: Pipe Talk

I post quite often about smoking my MM Diplomat with Plum Forever Stem and whatever tobacco I've chosen. What many don't know is through the course of a year I smoke that pipe 4 times a day. Given the pipe is 8 y/o it has been smoked more than 10,000 times, had the original stem replaced with...

pipesmagazine.com

Thanks man!

 

[kg.legat0]

I cracked a few of my cobs and I also dont care. They still smoke good, feels like they'll last forever.

I'm with you on this. I feel like even some of the deeply cracked ones will just keep on goin'.

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

I'm with you on this. I feel like even some of the deeply cracked ones will just keep on goin'.

They seem unbreakable, could just be they cheap price. When I first saw this I was bothered by it, but not after somking them cracked for a few months.

 

[mso489]

Since the cobs are plant material, I think they vary a lot in how long they last. The cobs used by MM are bred and grown for the purpose, so most last a long time. I think fish'n'banjo had some that went back to the fifties, maybe the thirties, that were smoked regularly and were doing fine.

 

[chopper]

I would definitely be up for reading that! And, I am in luck because I get legends for, iirc, $2.85 ...I just like the older ones because they are so broken in and smoke so well. I think I have 3-4 unsmoked cobs on the shelf just waiting for their call to duty ...for now tho, I will keep choochin' on these cracked ones!

Yes. Breaking in a new cob is not something I enjoy - that vegetal taste for a couple of bowls and burning off the protruding stem. It's worth it though.
Once they've got a thin hard layer of cake they're as good a smoker as any briar.

One of my MM cobs is developing a few cracks.
Has anyone tried using PVA glue to fill cracks in a cob?

I'm waiting for MM to get a Cobbit back in stock before I also order a few more cob pipes. I'm hoping that with a few more in my rotation, the 'old faithfuls' don't deteriorate as fast with more rest between bowls [?]

 

[weezell]

I just super glue mine from the outside to keep the crack at bay and smoke away...

 

[Chasing Embers]

I just super glue mine from the outside to keep the crack at bay and smoke away...

I use plain Elmer's Glue.

 

[Old School 3319]

doe

I just super glue mine from the outside to keep the crack at bay and smoke away...

Does the super glue on the outside of the pipe affect the smoke. I have a cob that has a crack right by the stem and i am worried it will separate

 

[blackpowderpiper]

I've used Elmer's Glue as well. Just don't over do it. Apply a little bit to the crack and let it dry. You can always add more if needed. I used glue on one of my Country Gentleman's that was over ten years old. Still works great. I think I acquired the pipe back in the early 2000's. I think I got my money's worth.

 

[ray47]

I've got dozens of cobs like you and a few have cracks, but still smoke great. In fact the cracked ones smoke better then my uncracked ones. If they burn thru then just pitch them and buy new ones.

 

[jpmcwjr]

How bout some photos of crackin' cobs? I'd use Elmers, or other wood glue, not Super Glue.

 

[didimauw]

yes I use the wood putty like Fishnbanjo as well. works like a charm. My Legend has been repaired multiple times with the same methods. Looks goofy at first, but then darkens and looks better.
Heres some random pictures of cracks and repairs.