Corncob Considerations

[deluxestogie]

My Dubious Excursion into the Corncob Pipe

I was going to post this as a serious presentation by a proud pipe maker, but I couldn't keep a straight face. This is a runted ear of Bloody Butcher corn that I "grew" this past season. I knew, from the start, that the diameter would not be large enough, but I really wanted to see just how much cob core was actually usable. This ear measures 1-1/4" in diameter, and allowed about a 3/8" tobacco hole, which I whittled using a hooked-blade whittling tool. The stem is a section of well dried bamboo from a small tomato stake. The stem is pressure-fit into a tapered side hole.

I guess that a more important question than the size is whether or not the corn kernels would pop in my face. But you have to admit that keeping the kernels in place makes an interesting presentation.

Here's what I learned:

• An intact ear (kernels on) needs to be over 2" in diameter to be useful as pipe material
• A bare cob needs at least 3/8" of wall thickness remaining after the tobacco hole is created
• Leaving the kernels on is problematic, since they are seldom well aligned, and tend to fall off with minimal stress (and might pop!)
• A whittling tool will do the job
• A slight tapering of the stem hole allows a reasonably snug pressure fit
• A simple bamboo stem is comfortable in the mouth

Missouri Meerschaum spackles most of their pipes with a plaster of Paris coating. This is not actually required for a smokable pipe.

The bottom of a corncob has a tendency to deteriorate with time. Though ugly, leaving a longer bottom on the cob helps minimize this problem.

Bob

 

[Jitterbugdude]

But the most important question Bob is.... when you gonna smoke it??

 

[deluxestogie]

I may need to drill a hole for a pipestem into a full face shield before I give it a try.

Bob

 

[leverhead]

I may need to drill a hole for a pipestem into a full face shield before I give it a try.

Bob

I wonder where the idea came from for the old cigarette loads? You could bypass the face shield and find a test dummy.

 

[Knucklehead]

I wonder where the idea came from for the old cigarette loads? You could bypass the face shield and find a test dummy.

Oh man, weren't those a blast? (get it? blast?)

 

[BarG]

Heh heh heh,You need to butter the outside before lighting. Should puff real well.

 

[NZGirl]

My Dubious Excursion into the Corncob Pipe

I was going to post this as a serious presentation by a proud pipe maker, but I couldn't keep a straight face. This is a runted ear of Bloody Butcher corn that I "grew" this past season. I knew, from the start, that the diameter would not be large enough, but I really wanted to see just how much cob core was actually usable. This ear measures 1-1/4" in diameter, and allowed about a 3/8" tobacco hole, which I whittled using a hooked-blade whittling tool. The stem is a section of well dried bamboo from a small tomato stake. The stem is pressure-fit into a tapered side hole.

I guess that a more important question than the size is whether or not the corn kernels would pop in my face. But you have to admit that keeping the kernels in place makes an interesting presentation.

Here's what I learned:

• An intact ear (kernels on) needs to be over 2" in diameter to be useful as pipe material
• A bare cob needs at least 3/8" of wall thickness remaining after the tobacco hole is created
• Leaving the kernels on is problematic, since they are seldom well aligned, and tend to fall off with minimal stress (and might pop!)
• A whittling tool will do the job
• A slight tapering of the stem hole allows a reasonably snug pressure fit
• A simple bamboo stem is comfortable in the mouth

Missouri Meerschaum spackles most of their pipes with a plaster of Paris coating. This is not actually required for a smokable pipe.

The bottom of a corncob has a tendency to deteriorate with time. Though ugly, leaving a longer bottom on the cob helps minimize this problem.

Bob

oooh it's so purdy! Thanks Bob. I was going to use bamboo for the stem myself so great to actually see a finished product. I have some corn I put away for seed (still on the cobb from 18 months ago and had wondered about whether to leave the kernels on or not. The one I pulled out to try looked as purdy as yours although my corn is a mix of kernel colours but I found the kernels came away in my hand when I played around with it too much so figure I'll probably have to remove them. Thank you for sharing!

 

[Knucklehead]

Hey Girl, I think a popcorn cob with the kernels on it would be wicked cool! Please post the video. lol

 

[johnlee1933]

Hey Girl, I think a popcorn cob with the kernels on it would be wicked cool! Please post the video. lol

Yeah, then you could smoke and eat on your way to the eye doctor. LOL

 

[NZGirl]

You're all quite mad - but you know this already ;o)

 

[rainmax]

But the most important question Bob is.... when you gonna smoke it??

Only for special occasions. Cinema for example.

btw. I would have plunged it into the epoxy before use. That would keep all the kernels in place.

 

[workhorse_01]

Cool looking, tasty, yet functional.

 

[NRustica]

I love it. I normally smoke Missouri Meershum so I really appreciate this.

 

[Jitterbugdude]

It does look a little "corny"....

 

[TheOtherOne]

Hey, we're growing the same corn.
I don't think I'll be smoking from a pipe like that anytime soon though, I prefer pacific madrone.