Last year Missouri Meerschaum released a limited edition reverse calabash style pipe designed by Chris Morgan. Two hundred twenty-five, or fifty, not sure which, were produced in total, and were quickly snatched up, even at the $50 asking price. Several forum members, including myself, were fortunate enough to get some of them, and after a year of having the pleasure to smoke one, here are some thoughts.
Upon opening the box when I received my "Cob Wasp", I thought it a nice little novelty piece, and for a day or two, I was resigned to the notion of keeping it in its pristine condition as they were made in limited quantities, and numbered. Mine being stamped "200". I started reading posts about how others were enjoying the smoking qualities of these little MM oddities, and figured what the hell. Loaded it up, and smoked it. Impressively cool and dry, even more so than a regular cob, and like a calabash, the flavors were a bit muted, but knew this would soon resolve itself after the cooling chamber became saturated with oils from the burning leaf. Was actually regretting not grabbing more than one.
As of today, I've had mine for a little over a year, and smoke it at least twice per week, quite often more so, and it still performs like a champ. I decided early on that this little guy was going to be a fold and stuff flake pipe as the chamber dimensions are perfect for that packing style. As much as I like my cob cigar, I think this should have been the pipe that they mass produced, just for the fact that I believe this to be a pipe anyone could enjoy. Any other thoughts from other Cob Wasp owners?
Upon opening the box when I received my "Cob Wasp", I thought it a nice little novelty piece, and for a day or two, I was resigned to the notion of keeping it in its pristine condition as they were made in limited quantities, and numbered. Mine being stamped "200". I started reading posts about how others were enjoying the smoking qualities of these little MM oddities, and figured what the hell. Loaded it up, and smoked it. Impressively cool and dry, even more so than a regular cob, and like a calabash, the flavors were a bit muted, but knew this would soon resolve itself after the cooling chamber became saturated with oils from the burning leaf. Was actually regretting not grabbing more than one.
As of today, I've had mine for a little over a year, and smoke it at least twice per week, quite often more so, and it still performs like a champ. I decided early on that this little guy was going to be a fold and stuff flake pipe as the chamber dimensions are perfect for that packing style. As much as I like my cob cigar, I think this should have been the pipe that they mass produced, just for the fact that I believe this to be a pipe anyone could enjoy. Any other thoughts from other Cob Wasp owners?