Smoker's Pride Mellow Taste in a Falcon this morning. The SP Mellow is a pretty nice burley/virginia blend by Lane limited. Nothing special, but very mild and burns well. Since I've probably got a half pound of this left, I think I'll use it to compare the smoking qualities of the Falcons, Briars and cobs.
Late morning pipe....H&H AJ's VaPer in a full bent Neerup. It's been a while since I've been into the jar of AJ's. It's really quite amazing what several months in a jar will do for a Virginia/VaPer. The unflavored cavendish adds a little something different to this blend. I could very easily see myself getting a pound of this and jarring for a year or more. A grass cutting pipe will be forthcoming this afternoon after an annual lawn tractor maintenance. You can see the clover growing up in the back yard.
After changing the tractor oil, inflating tires, greasing the wheel grease fittings, and the first overall de-greasing and cleanup in at least 3 or 4 years.... a grass cutting pipe....OGS in H.I.S. Bent. Used my Mosin Nagant tamp, and naturally since I was outside with a gentle breeze, I had to use the Zippo lighter. You know the old saying that a clean car drives better, well it applies to lawn tractors also. The grass blades were literally jumping off before I even rolled over them, LOL.
A nice little video about corn cob pipes http://www.hectv.org/watch/its-a-st-louis-thing/put-that-in-your/2002/
Thank you for posting this. As someone looking for a first pipe, and seriously considering a cob pipe, that was a fascinating video
CH in a Neerup cherrywood. Accompanied by a cup of Barrismo 100% aribica bean coffee. Black, the only way for coffee....
Very interesting, thanks for sharing. Just wondering which do the other cob guys here prefer, natural, plaster coated, or either/or? Personally, I generally prefer the natural finish, but the plaster coated ones are ok. I wish they made all their styles in both finishes.
I haven't tried a "Neked" (unfinished) cob, but I'm tempted. Aristocob.com has more finish selections than direct from Missouri Meerschaum or other online pipe stores. They must be able to get special orders. Their prices are a bit better, I guess because MM sells their pipes at mfr's list price. I haven't purchased from them, but I expect I will for my next cob purchase. Here's a pic of their "Neked" Country Gentleman.
Naked cob smokes cooler and it dries faster. I have tried both. The aristocob guy is located about 2 hour drive from me. I may message him and ask if I can come out and personally browse his pipe selection. From what I understand he gets the pipes in bulk from MM then refinishes them himself. He sells cob pipes because he loves them and not to be rich so he prices them low so more people have access to them. He has a youtube channel and guest stars on a few podcasts and online radio roundtables about pipe smoking.
Speaking of cobs....I've mentioned this pipe before, it's the MM natural freehand special edition called the Corncob Snob Society, and has that imprinted on the shank. That was a group started on a pipe forum I used to be on. That particular forum kind of died out, and I eventually quit checking it. A very large pipe, it is a magnificent performer. This afternoon, it's Lane Limited Ready Rub. Got a free sample at the Briary. It's not bad, but not sure I'll be buying anymore of it. I didn't notice how much this pic got washed out in the sunlight until I posted it. I'll take a better pic sometime.
