Chinese Corn Cob pipes

[Haebar]

I've accumulated quite a few of these Chinese corn cob pipes since I joined the P&C Pipe Tobacco of the Month Club last winter (they are part of the monthly package). They don't seem to have a substantial woody ring like the Missouri Meerschaums have. The inside bowl diameter is smaller 9/16" vs. 3/4" as well. One of these pipes has been chosen for assessment under fire; I have smoked about half an ounce of tobacco in it over the last few days. One thing for sure, it is a short smoke due to the size of the bowl. Anybody have any experiences with these?

http://i1377.photobucket.com/albums/ah50/haebar/Cigar%20Bum%20Photos%20002_zpsrwb8gwh4.jpg

http://i1377.photobucket.com/albums/ah50/haebar/Cigar%20Bum%20Photos%20003_zpsrvaopur9.jpg

[Emperor Zurg]

Seriously? They don't even send a Missouri Pride?

[AlanS]

Got one a couple years ago, had no bottom in the bowl. The sticker covered the hole, quality control.

[Haebar]

Got one a couple years ago, had no bottom in the bowl. The sticker covered the hole, quality control.

I noticed that on this pipe. I guess you are not supposed to finish the bowl or you might get a lapful of burning embers.

[Haebar]

Seriously? They don't even send a Missouri Pride?

I sent them an email about the topic a few months back, suggesting that they give a different pipe-related item each month. For instance, one month they could give a pack of pipe cleaners, the next month an inexpensive pipe tool, etc. They seemed glad to receive the suggestion at the time. Maybe the Missouri Prides would cost too much and they would have to raise the price of the club dues.

[DGErwin11]

Run. Run like the wind. Too many stories of these falling apart mid smoke or even catching fire. If you live in snow country, give them to the kids to use with snowmen.

[mooster]

Run. Run like the wind. Too many stories of these falling apart mid smoke or even catching fire. If you live in snow country, give them to the kids to use with snowmen. Or grab some dish soap and try your luck at bubbles.

[MrMotoyoshi]

I was gifted one some years back. When trying to remove some excess material at the bottom of the bowl with my czech tool it simply went through the bottom of the pipe. My relationship with them ended there.

[Ropey]

I didn't even know they grew corn in China.

[Emperor Zurg]

Maybe the Missouri Prides would cost too much and they would have to raise the price of the club dues.

Even so, a Chinese cob is pretty ghetto. They could include a small baggie of chopped up Phillies wrappers to go with it. Then maybe you could whomp up the pipe version of a blunt.

[c.ortiz108]

I try to avoid stuff from China - especially anything that goes in the mouth. After all the stories of toxic children's toys and pet stuff it's just not worth the risk. Zero quality control and zero accountability.

[Mister Moo]

Bought one for curiousity sake. As cited above the label covered a hole in the heel. Pitched it.

If I recall it was Chinese production that shipped us poison dog-killing pet food, dangerous children's toys and baby formula laced with highly toxic melamine flame retardant. I'd rather put my dogs tail in my mouth. Tell the P&C club they have lost their compass if not their minds.

[Emperor Zurg]

If I recall it was Chinese production that shipped us... baby formula laced with highly toxic melamine flame retardant.

Yeah well you don't want your baby to burst into flames do you? Safety first I guess...

[mooster]

https://youtu.be/nItuhuY1U04

[T.E.Fox]

https://youtu.be/nItuhuY1U04

Viewers be advised that taking acid before listening to something like this is recommended.

[mooster]

True. Particularly when the Robert Fripp guitar solo kicks in... :D

[NeverBend]

I noticed that on this pipe. I guess you are not supposed to finish the bowl or you might get a lapful of burning embers.

Hi Tab,

Can I ask what a normal monthly assortment of tobacco is from the Club? I understand that they want to cut costs but an increase to $25/mo with a nice MM cob would seem to make sense in all directions or perhaps a credit if you request no Chinese cob.

[Haebar]

Hi Tab,

Can I ask what a normal monthly assortment of tobacco is from the Club? I understand that they want to cut costs but an increase to $25/mo with a nice MM cob would seem to make sense in all directions or perhaps a credit if you request no Chinese cob.

Some months are better than others; below are some monthly assortments. I've been a member since November. I agree with you about the corn cob topic.

Date Brand Variety Amount in oz. Format
12/9/2014 Sutliff Balkan Luxury Blend 957 1.5 tin
12/9/2014 Ole Shenandoah Bootlegged 1.75 tin
12/9/2014 Russ' Blend Candy Cane Cocoa 4 bulk
12/9/2014 Sir Walter Raleigh Pipe Tobacco 1.5 pouch
1/5/2015 Peter Stokkebye French Vanilla 9F 4 bulk
1/5/2015 Missouri Meerschaum Missouri Pride 1.5 pouch
1/5/2015 Sutliff R-Blend Smoking Mixture 1.5 tin
1/5/2015 Captain Black Red Sky 1.75 tin
2/6/2015 Sutliff Bosphorus Cruise 1.5 tin
2/6/2015 Borkum Riff Mixture with Bourbon Whiskey 1.5 pouch
2/6/2015 Newminster Superior Round No. 403 4 bulk
2/6/2015 Hearth & Home Viprati 1.76 tin
3/4/2015 4th Generation 1897 1.4 tin
3/4/2015 Scotty's Butternut Burley 4 bulk
3/4/2015 Sutliff Maple Street 1.5 tin
3/4/2015 Sail Regular 1.5 pouch
4/11/2015 Lane Limited 1Q 4 bulk
4/11/2015 Russ Ouellette Fire Storm 1.76 tin
4/11/2015 Orlik Golden Sliced 1.76 tin
4/11/2015 Scandinavian Tobacco Group Velvet 1.5 pouch
6/6/2015 McClelland Tobacco Company No. 5110 Dark English 4 bulk
6/6/2015 Troost Special Cavendish 1.76 pouch
6/6/2015 Sutliff Kasimir 1.5 tin
6/6/2015 East India Trading Company Royal Challenge 1.76 tin

11/13/2014 Dunhill Aperitif 1.76 tin
11/13/2014 Russ' Blend Chocolate Covered Espresso Bean 4 bulk
11/13/2014 Stanwell Classic 1.76 tin
11/13/2014 Captain Black Round Taste 1.5 pouch

[NeverBend]

Tab, that's some list you keep, impressed!

Seems like you get close to the monthly fee in tobacco so, after shipping, the cob's obviously a throw-in but I'd think that they'd want to keep their customers, not push them away.

I suspect that they bought a warehouse full of the Chinese cobs to the point that they need an outlet to move volume.

Pete

[Haebar]

Tab, that's some list you keep, impressed!

Seems like you get close to the monthly fee in tobacco so, after shipping, the cob's obviously a throw-in but I'd think that they'd want to keep their customers, not push them away.

I suspect that they bought a warehouse full of the Chinese cobs to the point that they need an outlet to move volume.

Pete

Pete,

If I recall correctly the shipping is free after the first month. Each month I look forward to being surprised; that is what I like about it.

[NeverBend]

Pete,

If I recall correctly the shipping is free after the first month. Each month I look forward to being surprised; that is what I like about it.

Hi Tab,

Sorry if you thought that I was saying that the Club wasn't a good value because it seems to be fine. Looks like there's $20 worth of tobacco, perhaps a bit more and free shipping and, as you mention, the surprise and ability to sample many blends. If the cob had any value it would be that much nicer but the Chinese cobs can't be making them more loyal customers. Why not a free MM cob at signup, or every 6 months? Easy to work so that they don't alienate customers with shoddy product.

[Haebar]

Hi Tab,

Sorry if you thought that I was saying that the Club wasn't a good value because it seems to be fine. Looks like there's $20 worth of tobacco, perhaps a bit more and free shipping and, as you mention, the surprise and ability to sample many blends. If the cob had any value it would be that much nicer but the Chinese cobs can't be making them more loyal customers. Why not a free MM cob at signup, or every 6 months? Easy to work so that they don't alienate customers with shoddy product.

No problem, I didn't think you were implying that. A friend of mine always asks the waitress to surprise him with a beer when he goes into a restaurant, and that is part of the fun of it for me. When I first started doing the club I calculated the cost of what I was getting and found I was breaking even, just based on the tobacco alone. If I had to pay for shipping, I probably wouldn't stay in it. Didn't really expect to be impressed with the Chinese corncobs. I thought they might be good for a few smokes, but they taint the taste of the tobacco because they start to burn the first time you smoke them. That's just something you rarely experience with a MM cob. MM has, over the years, selectively bred their corn lines just for the express purpose of making pipes. The Chinese are behind the curve in that aspect. I'd rather be accumulating Czech tools, disposable lighters, pipe cleaners, etc. than these pipes.