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Ridgerunner42

Lurker
Apr 18, 2023
7
7
Hello Everyone,

New to the forum here. I am stuck between two thoughts about a travel pipe. A part of me wants to go with a corn cob and the other part wants to go with a meerschaum pipe. We are traveling to Canada this summer and renting a cabin…perfect pipe time.

I like the idea of a meerschaum because I can bring just that pipe and use it back to back the whole time. I found some that are affordable and won’t break the bank. On the other hand, I could buy two cobs and rotate them on a daily basis. My only issue with corn cob is there tends to be some cracking and smoke escape where the stem meets the bowl, also the stems don’t go to the bottom of the bowl so I lose out on some smoking. Thoughts? Are meerschaum too fragile for travel? Thanks!
 

mso489

Lifer
Feb 21, 2013
41,211
60,622
I'd take one of each. My MM cobs consistently burn the leaf to fine ash with no dottle at all. Pipes are small and will pack in almost no space, along with a few blends, tamper, lighter and/or matches, and pipe cleaners.

If your pipes are medium to small chambered, and you want longer smokes, flake/coin/plug/rope cuts can deliver those.

For travel on public transportation, I like an inexpensive nylon shaving kit that doesn't tempt thieves who might take a handsome pipe bag as a pistol case. No one wants my nail clippers.
 

canucklehead

Lifer
Aug 1, 2018
2,862
15,355
Alberta
I'd bring what I enjoyed smoking. I don't like cobs so I'd never bring a cob with anywhere.

Unless there's a reason to anticipate the pipe being taken from your during travel at a border, I'd take pipes I enjoy already.
I am of the same opinion, only I like cobs, mine don't seem to have the issues OP's have. I would take pipes that are comfortable smokers already for sure, if your goal is R&R.

If you are coming from the US to Canada I would also bring tobacco with you, don't count on finding anything available or affordable here.
 

monty55

Lifer
Apr 16, 2014
1,725
3,573
66
Bryan, Texas
Hello Everyone,

New to the forum here. I am stuck between two thoughts about a travel pipe. A part of me wants to go with a corn cob and the other part wants to go with a meerschaum pipe. We are traveling to Canada this summer and renting a cabin…perfect pipe time.

I like the idea of a meerschaum because I can bring just that pipe and use it back to back the whole time. I found some that are affordable and won’t break the bank. On the other hand, I could buy two cobs and rotate them on a daily basis. My only issue with corn cob is there tends to be some cracking and smoke escape where the stem meets the bowl, also the stems don’t go to the bottom of the bowl so I lose out on some smoking. Thoughts? Are meerschaum too fragile for travel? Thanks!

Why not take them both?
If your cob is leaking, send it back. I've owned a dozen MM cobs and never had a problem like you described.
 
Dec 3, 2021
5,476
47,153
Pennsylvania & New York
With a cob, there’s less likely to be any pain and suffering if you lose the pipe in your travels—with a Meerschaum, things might be different because of the greater financial investment. Any leak at the shank joint could be sealed prior to the trip. The temperature where the shank meets the bowl won’t ever get hot enough to have any issues, so wood glue could be used to seal the area where smoke might be escaping. You could fill the bottom with pipe mud (which you can make with cigar ash and water) so you won’t have unsmoked tobacco at the bottom. These would be easy, cost effective fixes that you might be able to do with what you already have on hand.

Welcome from Pennsylvania and New York.
 
inexpensive meer might be just right for you?
Meers are like the most fragile pipe material used, except for maybe glass. Carry on would be still iffy, but I've seen the way those guys loading luggage throw and stomp checked luggage. No way a meer makes it out of that unscathed. Whereas briar can take a beating and show no wear.
 

Puffaluffaguss

Part of the Furniture Now
Jul 30, 2021
704
2,229
32
The City Different
I take both with me on my route every single day. I smoke 2/3 bowls out of the meershsaum and then if I want to smoke more I will pack the cob. Nothing wrong with either, they both smoke tobacco the same way but I do like the fact that meers color as well as the customizability of cobs they both have there place. Now if I were you I would take one of each and rest the meer every few bowls and then bust out the cob.
 

jaingorenard

Part of the Furniture Now
Apr 11, 2022
744
3,399
Norwich, UK
I'm travelling in South America at the moment, and I brought a meer and two workhorse briars that I know smoke well. I shove the meer and all my tobacco into a dry bag, and currently these have been bounced around in a plane hold, under buses, rucksack soaked in a flooded room, and they're holding up fine.

I brought pouches of tobacco to take up less space, and mostly cheap so I wouldn't be concerned if customs binned it. I was hoping to find more tobacco out here, but have struggled. I'd think getting tobacco in Canada (at a decent price) is more of a concern than the pipes you take!


IMG20230418182049.jpg
 

Sobrbiker

Lifer
Jan 7, 2023
4,027
52,619
Casa Grande, AZ
Take whatever you enjoy smoking.
I just put 4 bowls at work through a briar, and a couple through a cob.
If I were going to relax, I’d definitely bring my meer.
Then again, I buy estates primarily-cobs and a mini-meer are all I’ve bought retail…..

I’d be more concerned with tobac supply.
 

Searock Fan

Lifer
Oct 22, 2021
2,211
6,057
Southern U.S.A.
I have quite a few pipes I've owned since the 60s, and these a special to me. They never leave the house.

For travel I have a 6 pipe leather case that I usually fill with Castellos. I make it small ones so they fit in the case... usually straight stems. If I go into a pipe shop for the first time smoking a Castello I've noticed the locals will accept me more readily than if I was smoking some piece of junk. This has lead to some interesting conversations and memorable aquaintances. Plus, I just love my Castellos! puffy