The corn cob pipe is an icon of American history. Since the early 1800s farmers have been crafting pipes from corn cobs. While briar pipes were more expensive, corn cobs were extremely affordable given the abundance of corn in the U.S. By the mid 19th century a Dutch immigrant and woodworker named Henry Tibbe began manufacturing corn cob pipes. By 1907 his company was renamed, The Missouri Meerschaum Company, which is now the leading manufacturer of corn cob pipes in the world. But why smoke a corn cob pipe today?
Corn cob pipes offer a unique smoking experience. The cob material doesn’t retain the flavors of tobacco blends nearly as much as briar — known as ghosting — which means you have much more leeway to try different blends without the fear of the flavor being contaminated by a blend previously smoked in the same pipe.
It’s also not necessary to condition a corn cob pipe. It’s always an option if you prefer to exercise an abundance of caution, but it’s a porous material not given to cracking due to heat expansion. If you so choose you can load up your corn cob with a full bowl of tobacco and smoke it on day one.
It’s such a profound and unique feeling when you smoke a corn cob pipe for the first time. It’s truly like stepping into history. When you smoke a corn cob pipe you’re following in the footsteps of the millions of Americans who’ve smoked corn cobs for over 200 years.
Finally, corn cob pipes are to this day far more affordable than briars, meerschaums and pipes of other materials. They’re low-cost to manufacture and those savings are passed on to the customer. They’re consequently excellent for the new pipe smoker, or for anyone who wants a more affordable alternative to briar.
I love everything about corn cob pipes. I love their affordability, versatility, and ease of use to name a few things. But I think my favorite thing about corn cobs is that feeling of stepping into American history and finding something in common with those who’ve gone before us.
Daniel, Owner
Plymouth Rock Tobacco Co.
Soli Deo Gloria
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