The General Corncob from Missouri Meerschaum

[topd]

Ya know every other week or so there are questions about Cobs. I just got my normal monthly

order in from Missouri Meerschaums and thought I'd elaborate. I get 3 or 4 pipes and start

breaking them in for future use in the woods or on the lake. I've put a Forever Stem on this

General and taken some pic's. Here's what Ya do.... Load some tobacco and smoke it...... Yep,

that's it.... just smoke it.

 

[topd]

I'll send you some storient, PM me

 

[bigmike]

Aye Aye General......I have one too and I love it.

 

[gmwolford]

I just got my first cob yesterday, a Washington with a bend. So far I totally dig it too! So, no need to break it in my thirds? And what's a "forever stem". Pardon my ignorance in advance.

 

[topd]

Oh cool.... Here is the link for the stems. The ones that come with the pipe are kinda cheep.
http://www.walkerbriarworks.com/html/_forever__stems.html
One of these will fix you up nicely.

 

[topd]

Now, breaking in.... HaHaa I've been smoking for 40 years, so I may not know it all but have a

little experience. I know what all the reading material says... but I just load a pipe all the way up

on the fist smoke. The hell with all that mess. I smoke several bowls and just smile in my bliss, not

worrying about breaking the rules while breaking in. I do it for briers, cobs, whatever.

OK, my thought on the subject: We were always told to start with just this much.... then just that

much..... and so on... I think it's important to form a good cake in a brier or cob.... Thicker

at the bottom than the top. But form it then ream it to that later. "How 'bout that" All the worry

out the window. No need sweating over how much to pack in, just pack it. Take care of the cake thickness

during your pipe maintenance.
On a new pipe, load it all the way up and just smoke it.

 

[topd]

Ha! Some are taller than others. I get about 45 min from a two inch tall pipe, and a lot longer from another

that is about 4 inch tall

 

[gmwolford]

TopD, thanks for the link. There are some great alternative stems there, and much better looking ones I might add. The cheap stem was the only turnoff on the cob to me. I'm pretty happy to realize I don't have to go through the breaking in with it; can't wait to fill her up and smoke it this evening.

 

[weezell]

Stuff it and Puff it!!

 

[taerin]

I actually prefer the stems that come with the pipe, they are even softer than vulcanite and you can get each one for 50 cents! As a clencher, they are a dream come true. The General is my favorite pipe to date to smoke out of other than the Peterson Standard System. The stem that comes with it is called a Danish stem, which is the most durable of all the MM cob stems. It lasts FAR longer than the standard ones do and I love it.
As a side note, many of these pipes come with a stem that starts higher in the bowel than the bottom, I always fill the space in with pipe mud (cigar ash + water). This lasts seemly forever and can stand up to your metal scraper. I also use it to fill in any thin spots in the wall of the pipe where it is out of round, which happends especially when it is a dry season like it has been. This is particularly hard on large sized corn cob pipes. This ash does not change the flavor or smell of the pipe because when it dries out, it is neutral. I have tried along with many others to make pipe mud from pipe tobbaco ashes and it simply does not hold up.

 

[papipeguy]

Cobs are the most forgiving pipes I have. Load 'em, light 'em and love 'em. I will get a General based on this post. Thanks for the post.

 

[will]

I have 15 MM cob pipes but have yet to get a General.

More than likely I will pick one up soon cause other than my cobs I have 6 briars and only 1 has what I would call a real big bowl and it is nice to have that option at times.

 

[reichenbach]

I was wondering about this size pipe and every time I intend on asking, I get side tracked by everything else. Thanks for finally reading my mind. And thank you herbinedave for also reading my mind and asking the question I was going to ask.

 

[reichenbach]

@ tarein: The first Danish stem I bought as a replacement I bought by accident and I love it. I can confirm that the plastic is far superior on these stems and it adds about a short 1/4 inch which enhances a profile shot if one is vain and/or so inclined.

 

[rigmedic1]

I got a new Washington today with a Fifth Avenue bowl. I got about 30 minutes with 2 delights, smoking some Sutliffe Top Shelf. I think the Fifth Avenue bowls are slightly larger than the regular bowls, though not as big as a general.

 

[gwtwdbss]

Wow, those forever stems are really nice! I may have to get get me a bigger MM and put one of those on it. I currently have the Legend, Patriot, and the Ozark Mountain Hardwood. One of those black stained Country Gentleman's would look really nice with that "Wine" stem. I bet a General could be sanded and stained and look really nice too. I have been on a red stem kick the past few days after seeing one in person.

 

[gmwolford]

I bet a General could be sanded and stained and look really nice too

I've been wondering this all day: Anyone know or have tried this?

 

[uberam3rica]

Here's what Ya do.... Load some tobacco and smoke it...... Yep,

that's it.... just smoke it.

I like to take some sandpaper to the inside of the bowl before I smoke it to insure there isn't any finish on it. Sometimes whatever they use on the outside gets on the inside of the bowl, and it doesn't taste good.

 

[jharvard]

TopD I have a quick easy question and I apologize in advance if you answered this for another member before that I am unaware of. I just became a fan of Corn Cob pipes after resisting it for over 15 years. How long does a typical cob pipe last (based on a few smokes a week) and how many days should I wait to smoke it in my rotation of pipes?
Also, I started with the Diplomat straight and would like to know about 3 or 4 of your favorites cobs from MM. No need for an explanation; just a list. I trust you know a heck of a lot more than I do and value your opinion on the matter.
Thank you and Cheers! :puffpipe:

 

[topd]

I think a cob can theoretically last forever if it doesn't get broken in your pocket or lost.

If I'm at the lake or woods, I smoke whatever pipe I have with me over and over, I don't worry

about resting or drying and I've never had one get mushy. So whatever you decide on for rotation

will be fine.

I don't think I really have a favorite, but I do tend to lean toward the taller pipes for a longer

smoke.
Happy Puffing