My Cobs are Looking Grotty...
- Thread starter kris
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Do you mean the exterior?
I don't worry about their appearance too much - in fact I prefer tar stains and charred bowls on my Country Gentlemen - so I'm afraid I can't really relate to your concerns.
Stems are easily replaced, as are the pipes themselves, if you have a problem with them.
I clean them after every smoke with pipe cleaners dipped in alcohol. (Usually wait an hour or so for cooling)
I use alcohol soaked bristle cleaners for the shank until they come back somewhat clean, followed by a dry regular cleaner or two to absorb the moisture...
The stems get a couple alcohol soaked regular cleaners followed by a dry cleaner or two to absorb the moisture.
I usually rub a bit of alcohol on the outside of the stem to remove any residues. I used to soak them in alcohol until I noticed I had trouble with fitting the stems back in place... It's a shame because it exorcised most of the smell/taste that can linger after a normal cleaning.
Anyway, that's probably not what you wanted to hear but I don't worry about looks unless there's damage of some kind.
I don't worry about their appearance too much - in fact I prefer tar stains and charred bowls on my Country Gentlemen - so I'm afraid I can't really relate to your concerns.
Stems are easily replaced, as are the pipes themselves, if you have a problem with them.
I clean them after every smoke with pipe cleaners dipped in alcohol. (Usually wait an hour or so for cooling)
I use alcohol soaked bristle cleaners for the shank until they come back somewhat clean, followed by a dry regular cleaner or two to absorb the moisture...
The stems get a couple alcohol soaked regular cleaners followed by a dry cleaner or two to absorb the moisture.
I usually rub a bit of alcohol on the outside of the stem to remove any residues. I used to soak them in alcohol until I noticed I had trouble with fitting the stems back in place... It's a shame because it exorcised most of the smell/taste that can linger after a normal cleaning.
Anyway, that's probably not what you wanted to hear but I don't worry about looks unless there's damage of some kind.
Holy Crap! Photoman's got a new avatar!!! And he looks cheerful!!! And Completely sodding different!!! :rofl:
& on the Cobs..Yeah, I meant the outside. They're just starting to look grubby now.
simeon, seriously, you do that every time??? Mine are lucky if they glimpse a pipe cleaner every 5-6 smokes...
& on the Cobs..Yeah, I meant the outside. They're just starting to look grubby now.
simeon, seriously, you do that every time??? Mine are lucky if they glimpse a pipe cleaner every 5-6 smokes...
If you read my Primer, you'll learn how to clean your finished cobs using spray furniture polish. Plus a lot of other cool tips and pointers.
http://pipedia.org/index.php?title=The_Complete_Corncob_primer
http://pipedia.org/index.php?title=The_Complete_Corncob_primer
kris,
I do that every single time. I used to be more slack with my cleaning process and I found that it affected my enjoyment in a huge way. I do not like any residual moisture or tars in my stems - it seriously detracts from the flavour experience in my books.
I generally only smoke a cob once a day, then clean it.
Occasionally I will smoke the same blend in it twice without alcohol cleaning on the same day BUT I will definitely use a few dry pipe cleaners to eliminate any spit or particulates lingering in the stem/shank...
Some people probably see it as overkill, but it doesn't appear to have ruined my cobs just yet and it generally delivers a very fresh and clean tasting smoke.
I do that every single time. I used to be more slack with my cleaning process and I found that it affected my enjoyment in a huge way. I do not like any residual moisture or tars in my stems - it seriously detracts from the flavour experience in my books.
I generally only smoke a cob once a day, then clean it.
Occasionally I will smoke the same blend in it twice without alcohol cleaning on the same day BUT I will definitely use a few dry pipe cleaners to eliminate any spit or particulates lingering in the stem/shank...
Some people probably see it as overkill, but it doesn't appear to have ruined my cobs just yet and it generally delivers a very fresh and clean tasting smoke.
My MM legend is 1-1/2 years old and it looks like hell with dirt and glue. Still smokes great, though.
I only have three cobs - 2 Missouri Meerschaum Legends and one MM Washington. The legends are for the rare times I smoke aros and the Washington is for Vapers (and forty briars for my Englishes). I am rather picky about the state of the rims on all my pipes, these included. After years of trying the same cleaning techniques I use on the briars on the cobs unsuccessfully I now just LIGHTLY use some 400 grit sandpaper on the cob rims every so often and they come clean as new. When I eventually breach the plaster treatment I will just replace them.
Not me! I am "colouring" my Missouri Meerschaums with pride!
My Sam's Flake Country Gentleman is darker than all of the rest with a blackened rim and tar/carbon stains progressing downwards into the pockmarked finish. The wear is a true sign of love and appreciation. As long as it still smokes well, I'll be happy. (I'm less pleased that I lost the plastic band so the stem no longer fits tightly)
Would it suit a Dunhill? No. Does it suit a rustic cob? Yes!
There is beauty in imperfection! Google "jolie laide" and see if you agree with me...
My Sam's Flake Country Gentleman is darker than all of the rest with a blackened rim and tar/carbon stains progressing downwards into the pockmarked finish. The wear is a true sign of love and appreciation. As long as it still smokes well, I'll be happy. (I'm less pleased that I lost the plastic band so the stem no longer fits tightly)
Would it suit a Dunhill? No. Does it suit a rustic cob? Yes!
There is beauty in imperfection! Google "jolie laide" and see if you agree with me...
are like me, my cob looks like hell being stained, burned and chewed.
it still is my fav pipe and have been reaching for it for almost 2 years now. had to put a new ring on the stem with super glue and expand the tenon so it stays together but i keep smoking it. i have another one that is somewhat cleen, but i like the beat up one better.
it still is my fav pipe and have been reaching for it for almost 2 years now. had to put a new ring on the stem with super glue and expand the tenon so it stays together but i keep smoking it. i have another one that is somewhat cleen, but i like the beat up one better.
If you want to spruce it up, perhaps giving the rim and bowl
a light sand and splash it with some stain ;-)
a light sand and splash it with some stain ;-)
One issue I have cleaning my cobs is I can never get a pipe cleaner through the lip. Now, I'm a clincher, so this may be why, but even a slim churchwarden cleaner won't fit through the lip.
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