How About a Corncob Pipe

(Page 3 of 3)

January/February 1973
By John D. Meek 
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The first smoke with your masterpiece isn't necessarily going to be a joy, because the pith you didn't scrape out of the bowl must burn away and the woody part of the cob has to season a bit. No new pipe will stay lit, either, and the homemade variety isn't any exception to this rule. Two or three smokes should be about enough to break in the "farmer's meerschaum", though . . . and if your handiwork didn't turn out well, remember. that the making cost you nothing but a few minutes. Save the old stem if you can, and start over.

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AN ADDITIONAL WORD ABOUT CORNCOB PIPES

Mark Twain had a message for agriculturalists. He advises, "If you grow wheat just to get the chaff, you're crazy . . . but if you grow corn to get the cob you're smart."

The sweet smoke of the cob pipe has addicted many people. First Lady Rachel Jackson puffed away, claiming her doctor promised relief from bronchial affliction. Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia and General MacArthur were also confirmed corncobbers.

The world corncob pipe center is Washington, Missouri. These Missouri farmers produce special extra-woody, durable corncobs, the size of a man's wrist and perfect for pipes. Each cob makes two pipe bowls and a miniature. Even if the cobs from your fertilized corn are not that large, save them and dry them. Then produce your own pipes.

First, cut a dried corncob to the desired bowl length, approximately 13/4 inches. Smooth off the outside. Bore out the soft inside until your thumb fits in it. Taper the bottom base and make a wooden plug to fit the taper. Then cut a hole about one-half inch in diameter through the wall of the cob near the base, tapering the hole inward.

Cut a reed, or other hollow stem, of slightly larger diameter than the bowl hole. Cut the reed as long as one segment, keeping the knot at one end. With a drill rod or hard wire, knock the soft pith from the center of the stem. Taper the end of the branch to fit the pipe hole. Then twist the knobless end of the stem into place.

Smoke the pipe slowly to preserve the flavor of the smoke. To preserve your pipe, hold it in your hand rather than clamping the stem between your teeth.

From A Peace Corp Volunteer Publication

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  • justin 5/11/2009 8:28:54 PM

    when boring the hole in he cob to fit you stem in if first youuse a small philips scredriver to start the hole and then finish with a penknife you can make your pipe fit perfectly

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