Clay, Cob, Meerschaum, Briar or other

**OldSaw** · 05-28-2008, 06:42 PM

As I am thinking of taking up the pipe again I was wondering what others favorite pipe material is. I used to think meerschaum was the greatest, but I have also smoked some great corn cob pipes. The clay pipe has me intrigued and I might pick one up soon.

**falkon** · 05-28-2008, 07:15 PM

IMHO corn cob is far superior to meerschaum in every way (price, taste, temperature, look) with the exception of durability. Plus, nothing says America like a cob pipe and a bottle of whiskey......

**royalcrown** · 05-29-2008, 05:57 AM

I With the exception of meerschaum, which I have always wanted a but I will not buy one until I am ready to take care of it and smoke it regularly, here are my 2 cents on the matter

When I was living in Boston my favorite tobacconist got in a lot of long stemmed clay tavern pipes, the length of the stem and the porous nature of the clay made for a very cool dry smoke. In retrospect I should have bought a few more at 6$ a pop. The only problem with this was that they were fragile and not that great for every day use.

Corncob pipes are especially underrated, for there price and function they are awesome. Yes they burn out quicker but all you have to do is go to the local convenience/bait/tackle shop and get a new one for all of 5 bucks. I like to keep one around the house and always get odd looks when I smoke it around others for its “gimmick value”, for the most part, I considered it a nonissue but as a 20 something became the butt of more then a few would-be comedians highly original old man and Popeye jokes (hurrrrrrr). I highly

The thing I like about briar is actually something I like about wet-shaving. You can get great results for a solidly made $20 beater, a good day at the antique store, or go broke on something truly amazing.

**ouch** · 05-29-2008, 06:05 AM

Behold the wood that does not burn- briar.

With all due respect to meerschaum, which makes a great pipe, briar is king.

**Lynchmeister** · 05-29-2008, 06:11 AM

You guys are making my pipe leg itch again...er...I mean, the curiosity scales are tipping again in favor of trying a corncob pipe this summer.

**michaelskar** · 05-29-2008, 06:16 AM

While the other types all offer something unique, nothing compares to briar. Second place for me would be corncob, third meerschaum, and last place clay (due mainly to how fragile they are).

**OldSaw** · 05-29-2008, 06:18 AM

Originally Posted by Lynchmeister

You guys are making my pipe leg itch again...er...I mean, the curiosity scales are tipping again in favor of trying a corncob pipe this summer.

Just do it. Isn't that what that swoosh on your hat stands for?

**Lynchmeister** · 05-29-2008, 07:17 AM

Originally Posted by OldSaw

Just do it. Isn't that what that swoosh on your hat stands for?

Nothing deflates the ego of Curdistan's* new puppet regime, Gorgonzola card carrying party member tyrant more than being mistaken with the likes of Maria Sharapova.

*tip 'o the hat to Richard.

**theperfectstorm** · 05-29-2008, 07:25 AM

Corncob for crappy tobacco,
Briar for good tobacco,
Meerschaum for really good tobacco and/or certain substances,
clay for certain substances, particularly the dried resin of certain substances.

**kestrel** · 05-29-2008, 08:22 AM

OldSaw

The sweetest smoking pipes I ever had were made of Delft porcelain. The bodies were hollow: that is, they had air space between the inner and outer walls of the bowl into which a small amount of water could be introduced. Even with the water they tended to burn a bit hot, and they wore out quickly,
but oh, the tabacco tasted marvellous in them! I haven't seen one for years.

Over all, briar is your best bet for price, quality and durability and that's the way I voted in your poll. Always remember, the straighter the grain of the wood the better the smoke.

Enjoy

Graham

**Beast** · 05-29-2008, 08:26 AM

As I'm writing this, your post count is... 420.

Duuuuuuuude.

Originally Posted by theperfectstorm

Corncob for crappy tobacco,
Briar for good tobacco,
Meerschaum for really good tobacco and/or certain substances,
clay for certain substances, particularly the dried resin of certain substances.

**OldSaw** · 06-01-2008, 08:26 PM

I got my first clay pipe the other day and it was the best smoking pipe I have ever tried. I smoked exactly one bowl of Virginia 27, tipped it over to tap out the ash and the stem broke in two. What a disappointment. I will definitely be looking to replace it with a better one some day.

I still have not found my old Savinelli briar pipe, so I tried out a corn cob that I picked up with the clay. As I expected, it was a great little smoker. Not quite as cool as the clay. I had to pay a little closer attention to make sure I didn't draw too much and over heat it.

If the clay had not broke so easily I would definitely cast my vote for the clay. As far as an all around, knock about pipe goes I really like the corn cob. I would not shed too many tears if I dropped it in the lake while fishing, but a good meerschaum or briar, now that's another story.

**Rhino** · 06-01-2008, 08:37 PM

Mmmmm...briar...

**OldSaw** · 06-01-2008, 08:45 PM

Originally Posted by Rhino

Mmmmm...briar...

Now that's a fine looking piece of briar.

**momo360** · 06-01-2008, 10:07 PM

To this day I cannot figure out why I love those Irish system pipes

**Danksalot** · 06-01-2008, 10:23 PM

Briar.

**Mordecai** · 06-02-2008, 05:09 AM

I feel a bit ashamed as the only real pipe I've smoked is a generic brand (Thompson Cigar Co.) briar, semi rustic pipe. It was cheap, came with a variety of tobacco and seemed a good deal. As such I voted Briar, my only other pipe is a small novelty meerschaum eagle claw.

**Danksalot** · 06-02-2008, 06:06 AM

Don't be ashamed, the pipe I'm smoking in the above picture is one that I bought from my local tobacconist for $35. It smokes great, is light enough to clench comfortably, and I display it proudly. I say smoke what you've got and enjoy it.

Danksalot

**Mordecai** · 06-02-2008, 06:33 AM

No worries, I'm in the process of rehydrating some of my original Tobacco lot (from 1999). It was a package deal from a bargain house cigar company, but one of the flavors I just loved, some Scottish blend of unknown name. Unfortunately I'd smoked all but a bowl or two and got out of the habbit, so now I'm rehydrating what's left. I can't say I'm too ashamed as there aren't many 19 year olds (at the time) who want to smoke a pipe.

**OldSaw** · 06-04-2008, 09:41 AM

I finally cast my vote for clay.

The more I thought about it and the reasons for briar being a top choice did not necessarily make it my favorite. If I could only have one pipe I would choose briar, but not because it is my favorite but because it is the most durable all around good smoking pipe.

Of the varieties I have smoked over the years I would rank them for how I enjoy my time smoking them and the smoke they produce in the following order:

1. Clay
2. Meerschaum
3. Corn Cob
4. Briar

I found this rather interesting, since most of my pipes have been briar and I enjoyed smoking most of them. This causes me to ask myself, why have I bought so many briars? Is it because corn cobs look hokey? Meerschaums are too fancy, delicate or snobby? Clays are obviously too fragile, so I am not worried about that one. I think I'll buy me some more corn cob pipes.