First broken pipe!

[somedumbjerk]

Dutch, that is awesome looking. i'm going to do that on the replacement cob i purchase. i'll probably use some twine for a nice effect.

 

[DrumsAndBeer]

The Cobgods are pissed.

The Cobgods are probably upset about your recent high-end briar acquisitions. Nothing upsets them more than a Castello coming home to roost.

A sacrifice is needed. Better smoke some Oriental Dusk in your finest briar. Only then will they be appeased.

 

[Kyle Weiss]

While cobs are cheap and easily replaced, I find it enjoyable to see just how long I can make a cob last.

The first thing I do with a new cob is to bulletproof it, best I can. This involves putting pipe mud in the bottom of the bowl, and adding epoxy to the joint between cob and shank. Once I have accomplished that, and allowed both to dry, I then wrap the shank in heavy gauge sewing thread, and then slather the thread with a coat of epoxy.

It takes a little time and effort to do this, but it is well worth the effort if you want your cobs to last as long as your briar and meerschaum pipes.

Here are a couple pics of a Missouri Meerschaum General with a Walker Forever Stem that is going strong. It is the first cob I wrapped the shank on, and I repaired this one after the shank cracked on me

Dutch, I liked you before, but you're my effing cob-hero, brother.  :cheers:

I try to make my cobs last a long time, too.  I cite my first Washington cob I got from Mars for $4 nearly two years ago.  I've dropped it overboard while fishing (and recovered it), mudded it up (only once, and it lacks the hardwood plug!) and am still using the OEM plastic MM stem it came with.  Occasionally I have to jam a micro-file in the button to re-open the draft hole where I clench (the upper and lower tooth indentations), but it's turning a lovely shade of honey oak, with a nice brown band appearing at the middle section.   The wood shank is perfectly okay, no cracks--and is coloring almost to a walnut.  I take this pipe with me everywhere...it's my "away" pipe...work, the tobacconist, coffee shops... when I'm at Tinder Box, and people are scoffing about cobs being "disposable," I proudly grab a new one from the shelf, and compare it to my Washington in color and personality.   They think I'm crazy that I might have this pipe for 10, 20, or more years.   :heart:

All it takes is keeping it clean, letting it rest, minimizing the abuse :lol: and knowing what it can and can't do. I think this one has trained me to keep better care of my briars, in all honesty.

 

[somedumbjerk]

yeah i'm now regretting throwing it away. i just have too many half finished projects and good old chunks of briar i need to make into pipes! and DnB, they are going to be even more pissed when my Baki and second Castello 10 show up... not to mention another growley in the future, and another 10 if the gentleman still has it....

what are savings accounts?

 

[Dutch]

While cobs are cheap and easily replaced, I find it enjoyable to see just how long I can make a cob last.

The first thing I do with a new cob is to bulletproof it, best I can. This involves putting pipe mud in the bottom of the bowl, and adding epoxy to the joint between cob and shank. Once I have accomplished that, and allowed both to dry, I then wrap the shank in heavy gauge sewing thread, and then slather the thread with a coat of epoxy.

It takes a little time and effort to do this, but it is well worth the effort if you want your cobs to last as long as your briar and meerschaum pipes.

Here are a couple pics of a Missouri Meerschaum General with a Walker Forever Stem that is going strong. It is the first cob I wrapped the shank on, and I repaired this one after the shank cracked on me

Dutch, I liked you before, but you're my effing cob-hero, brother.  :cheers:

I try to make my cobs last a long time, too.  I cite my first Washington cob I got from Mars for $4 nearly two years ago.  I've dropped it overboard while fishing (and recovered it), mudded it up (only once, and it lacks the hardwood plug!) and am still using the OEM plastic MM stem it came with.  Occasionally I have to jam a micro-file in the button to re-open the draft hole where I clench (the upper and lower tooth indentations), but it's turning a lovely shade of honey oak, with a nice brown band appearing at the middle section.   The wood shank is perfectly okay, no cracks--and is coloring almost to a walnut.  I take this pipe with me everywhere...it's my "away" pipe...work, the tobacconist, coffee shops... when I'm at Tinder Box, and people are scoffing about cobs being "disposable," I proudly grab a new one from the shelf, and compare it to my Washington in color and personality.   They think I'm crazy that I might have this pipe for 10, 20, or more years.   :heart:

All it takes is keeping it clean, letting it rest, minimizing the abuse :lol:and knowing what it can and can't do.   I think this one has trained me to keep better care of my briars, in all honesty.  

Kyle, I understand now why the name "Missouri Meerschaum" is so fitting for these cobs. After some miles are put on these pipes, the cob itself, as well as the plaster mixture that the company uses, begins to color similar to a block meerschaum.

I'm interested in buying a couple of the natural freehands when they become available again. I can see how those models can dry out much quicker, and perform much better than the plaster filled models. Not sure if the longevity will be there on the natural models though.

 

[Harlock999]

Dutch, you need to start a thread called
"Pimp my Cob"!

 

[Kyle Weiss]

Dutch, you need to start a thread called
"Pimp my Cob"!

That would get cray-cray* real quick.  

(Interpretation for the boomer generation:  nonsense-urbana speak for "crazy.")

Kyle, I understand now why the name "Missouri Meerschaum" is so fitting for these cobs. After some miles are put on these pipes, the cob itself, as well as the plaster mixture that the company uses, begins to color similar to a block meerschaum.

I'm interested in buying a couple of the natural freehands when they become available again. I can see how those models can dry out much quicker, and perform much better than the plaster filled models. Not sure if the longevity will be there on the natural models though.

Yep, they color nicely.  There's something uncomfortable about a new cob, and how lily-white they can be right out of the gate.   I feel it's my duty to make them a little less conspicuous.   :lol:

I have a natural freehand, the rough-type, and it's alright.  The bowl is just way too damn big for almost anything I like (which is either subtle stuff that would get destroyed in that capacity, or so strong I'd be puking in my own lap), so I dedicate it to Storm Front.   I don't find it really dries out any quicker, and any coolness is from the hand not making such direct contact with the bowl (rather, the edges of the kernel sockets).   It's a great pipe--don't get me wrong, but I think I only need one.  

Technically, mine was an Xmas gift from or own Mark here on the forum, so regardless, it's staying with me forever.  

8)

 

[Dutch]

Dutch, you need to start a thread called
"Pimp my Cob"!

Lol, how about "Pimping my cob, and cleaning it vigorously!" :lol:

 

[somedumbjerk]

Dutch, you need to start a thread called
"Pimp my Cob"!

Lol, how about "Pimping my cob, and cleaning it vigorously!"  :lol:

yeah, it's hard to get rid of all the glitter...  

 

[somedumbjerk]

oh and, on a "pimp my cob" note, if you can find a good angler supply, you can probably get some really great thread from the fly tying department. i used to do that when i was a kid and they have all kinds of weight and colors in the thread. all pretty durable stuff. also a nice little rig for wrapping from a bobbin. guess who's going shopping to revisit an old hobby tomorrow?? 8) 

 

[Briar Spirit]

just have too many half finished projects and good old chunks of briar i need to make into pipes

That's so naughty, how could you leave those wonderful blocks of Briar unattended, naughty naughty boy, when I get my drill press, yeah okay, so it's more like if I get my drill press, if you like you can fire a block and a stem my way and I'll happily do a pipe for you Buddy, I need the practice to be honest and the vast majority of the pipes I intend making are going to be for myself or for friends. Of course only do that if you feel I'm up to scratch, not everyone feels I am, but I'd definitely do the best job I can for you, or just ignore me or tell me to naff off, it's all good. :twisted: 

 

[somedumbjerk]

just have too many half finished projects and good old chunks of briar i need to make into pipes

That's so naughty, how could you leave those wonderful blocks of Briar unattended, naughty naughty boy, when I get my drill press, yeah okay, so it's more like if I get my drill press, if you like you can fire a block and a stem my way and I'll happily do a pipe for you Buddy, I need the practice to be honest and the vast majority of the pipes I intend making are going to be for myself or for friends. Of course only do that if you feel I'm up to scratch, not everyone feels I am, but I'd definitely do the best job I can for you, or just ignore me or tell me to naff off, it's all good. :twisted: 

Pm my your address, I'll see what I can do

 

[Briar Spirit]

Pm my your address, I'll see what I can do

No rush Buddy, PM sent, gotta get a press before I can drill anything safely!