Cobs

[SpeedyPete]

I love my cobs. I like fat girls too. To a point. Both can be ugly, but I've seen some ugly brairs and skinny chicks also. I don't mind being seen with a cob or a fat girl, as long as they aren't ugly. lol

I'm about 50/50 on whether I grab a briar or a cob. I'm old enough and secure enough to not care what other people think when they see me out and about. I do draw the line at the mini cobs in public. Too many people think those are for another weed smoked around here.

A good cob's functionality makes it a thing of beauty. Sort of like with people, if they are beautiful inside it makes up for a lack of beauty outside. Within reason.

Brother Mick, I agree 100%! I love fat girls too, they last so much longer.

 

[Greenleaf]

I'm in the habit of "dressing up" as people say. I wear an ivy dress hat, wool sport coats, suspenders, dark dress shirts, and often a paisley tie. But, I'm a great believer in functionality, which is why I also wear the plainest black tennis shoes and a cheap watch (wear suspenders, hats, and jackets for similar reasons). I also love my cobs and carry any pipe irrespectve of how I look at the time or where I go. Don't give a rat's ass. Don't compete in fashion shows, and don't get paid to look cute. But, I do understand that some people are in the position of having to care for one reason or another, so long as it's a valid reason.

Besides, carrying only a Diplomat in my pouch can eliminate the need to carry an additional pipe for rotation, as I'm a heavy smoker. Hell, I just love the way my drugstore burleys taste in them.

What the hell is all this about dropping, losing, and forgetting pipes? How the hell does a smoker lose his pipe? Unfathomable. Incredible. Can't imagine that happening in any degree of drunkenness. Dear God, gentlemen.

 

[SpeedyPete]

I'm in the habit of "dressing up" as people say. I wear an ivy dress hat, wool sport coats, suspenders, dark dress shirts, and often a paisley tie. But, I'm a great believer in functionality, which is why I also wear the plainest black tennis shoes and a cheap watch (wear suspenders, hats, and jackets for similar reasons). I also love my cobs and carry any pipe irrespectve of how I look at the time or where I go. Don't give a rat's ass. Don't compete in fashion shows, and don't get paid to look cute. But, I do understand that some people are in the position of having to care for one reason or another, so long as it's a valid reason.

Besides, carrying only a Diplomat in my pouch can eliminate the need to carry an additional pipe for rotation, as I'm a heavy smoker. Hell, I just love the way my drugstore burleys taste in them.

What the hell is all this about dropping, losing, and forgetting pipes? How the hell does a smoker lose his pipe? Unfathomable. Incredible. Can't imagine that happening in any degree of drunkenness. Dear God, gentlemen.

Yes, at the age of 28 it must be hard to understand. But dear laddie, wait until you're 67 years old and then we'll talk again!!

 

[Rob_In_MO]

It seems that we pretty well all agree on the functionality of Cobs and well as thier place in our collections. I'm a member of the 'Who gives a rat's ass' generation myself and really don't care that much on day-to-day matters. I'm married - with children - i'm not trying to impress anyone.

Now I do have to dress up for work occasionally = seminars, trade shows, meetings, teaching classes, company dinners, etc. and understand that there is a time and a place for everything. While I do reserve my briars or meerschaums for such occasions (when semi-required), it's pretty well my Cobs that see the daily at home, outside, in the car, running around use. Besides, I wouldn't want to take my Savinelli Gandalf outside while doing yard work - or driving around town with all of the idiots on the road.

As far as losing a pipe, never done that. Forgetting and leaving a pipe somewhere (only to return later and hoping that it's still there) - been there, done that.

 

[Greenleaf]

Actually I once forgot a pipe at a restaurant a long time ago, was smoking that and cigarettes simeltaneously. Had to come back for it thirty seconds later--almost ruined my dine-and-dash operation. Fortunately I had a backup scam on the ready and played it off well.

 

[Rob_In_MO]

dine-and-dash operation.

ROFLMAO :lol!:

I've actually seen that done a time or two! Years ago when I lived in Cape Girardeau, MO.

Never could do it myself though...

 

[Greenleaf]

My favorite scam was to use an old debit card from an account that had gone under, then act shocked and embarrased after they checked it twice. Being sharp dressed and clean-shaven, they'd take pity on me. So, I'd tip the waitress in change and hit the bus stop before they changed their minds.

Gotta leave a tip. Screw the corporation, but pay the waitress for God's sake. Non-tippers should be dragged out into the street and shot.

 

[SpeedyPete]

Any MM cob will beat any briar everytime! It's only egoism which restrain us from admitting it.

 

[Tak]

I'm with you SpeedyPete.

I love my Cobs. I keep messing with them and modifying them and putting new stems on them.

They smoke great.

Thx,
Tak

 

[SpeedyPete]

Any MM cob will beat any briar everytime! It's only egoism which restrain us from admitting it.

It seems as if all the brothers agree about this. So it's official now, cobs smoke so much better than briars.

:lol: :cheers: :bounce:

 

[Jay_Williams]

For years as a pipe smoker I never had a heart for the cob, but I gave it a chance and bought a MacArthur polished bent cob pipe and I must say I do enjoy it with a nice honey or apple aromatic. its a large pipe and so far so good

 

[Rob_In_MO]

Jay - Glad you like the Cob. Give it a few smokes for break-in. You also might want to remove some of the wood stem that protrudes into the bottom of the bowl (I use a Dremel). Naturally it will burn away with use, but if I can remove part of it initially - it seems to help the flavor when the tobacco burns to the bottom of the bowl (no soft wood burning).

Either way, glad you tried a Cob. Many pipe smokers on here not only have Cobs, but have them in regular rotation. They seem to excel with moist tobaccos on a humid/damp day.

 

[Jay_Williams]

Way ahead of you Rob my good man, I used a thin saw to remove the extra wood, I was afraid it would start burning one day while the bowl was getting hot!

 

[Rob_In_MO]

Rock On! :cheers:

Never had one burn or catch fire, but it does affect the taste/flavor initially. No problem now.

Personally I like the way they smoke. You can abuse them (without resting periods) and they keep smoking well.
Plus, if you drop/lose/break one, you're not out much - but i'm sure you know this.

Good to hear and congrats. I think i'm most partial to the Diplomat, but i'll try a freehand one day soon.

 

[Jay_Williams]

Yeah I really do enjoy having a good cob, like you said if they get busted up down the way it's no biggie. I think i only payed 12 bucks for the Mac pipe, the general is also a good one with a nifty stem and I've heard amazing things about their freehand. I like cobs on a bluegrass sort of summer day, like just got done cutting the grass on a Arizona monsoon day and now I got some Scruggs or Dr.Ralph Stanly "bumping" ..to me they are one of the many great symbols of Americana!

 

[nosenhoj]

Ok gentlemen;
Who sells the best cobs?

"There's a story behind every bowl"

 

[Kapnismologist]

Ok gentlemen;
Who sells the best cobs?

"There's a story behind every bowl"

Lots of folks sell 'em, only one makes the best: http://www.corncobpipe.com/. Nothing more to say.

 

[Richard Burley]

I have nothing to add to this thread except to say that I also find cobs to be the best for smoking the burley-based drugstore blends, a taste I acquired at age 16 and still indulge on many occasions. I do not find them superior for the true English blends, but they are sort of OK even for that. It takes a damn good briar to get all an English has to offer, in my opinion. One of the above writers mentioned that he likes to diddle with the cobs as they come from the factory. I also do this, first sanding off the bowl and then--here's my innovation--taking a flame to the silly-assed shank and tiger striping it with scorch marks. That just seems to make it look cooler. I like the idea of buffing the hell out of it. Have to try that. And always add a Forever stem from Walker Briar Works. The original is crap, although good for chewing up, I suppose. My preference is the Country Gentleman, because it's the largest standard shape they make without going to the General, which is a bit cumbersome for me. I remember an old Untouchables TV episode where one of the gangsters smoked a cob; anyone else remember it?

 

[nosenhoj]

Almost 40 years ago when I first started smoking Cobs, the only problem that I had with them was that, I didn't know how to smoke them.I smoked them long, hot, and too often, and with too much cake buildup. So they never lasted as long as they could have.It seems like whenever the cob was smoking it's best, it would crack, and i would really be really upset.several years passed befor I realized
all the things that I was doing wrong.I have always kept several cobs on hand, and always will. The MM with the Hardwood bottom has always been my favorite,
I don't really know of any other quality brand.

"Cobs Forever" :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

"There's a story behind every bowl"

 

[tiltjlp]

95% of what I smoke are cobs, mostly bent Diplomats, along with the natural Freehand. In fact I have gifted away all but 3 of my briars, and while I do like them, after 50 years, I much prefer cobs. The natural Freehand is simply the best cob I've ever smoked. And as for fat girls, the ones I care about like my cobs too.