How to Make a Homemade Corn Cob Pipe
The corn cob pipe's origin goes back to 1869 when a Missouri farmer whittled a pipe out of a corn cob, according to PipesMagazine.com. That farmer liked it so much he asked woodworker Henry Tibbe to reproduce it on his lathe. Tibbe did just that and placed the pipes in his store, where they quickly sold. Because of the pipe's popularity, Tibbe produced them full time. His company, eventually named the Missouri Meerschaum Company, still operates today. These pipes can be made at home just as the farmer made his. But the secret to making a good pipe is getting a good corn cob.
Things You'll Need
- Dried corn cob (recently grown and firm with a large pith area in the middle)
- Pocket knife
- Pen knife
- Corn stalk (slender part) or piece of reed
- Twist drill
Instructions
-
-
1
Clean the outside of the cob with a pocket knife, making it smooth. Leave some of the husk for a more rustic look. Leaving the outside rough and thicker may mean the pipe is cooler when smoking.
-
2
Cut the cob with a pen knife to about 2 inches long. This will become the bowl of the pipe. Adjust the length to fit your hand.
-
-
3
Hollow out the bowl using the pen knife, until your thumb fits in it. You will notice a woody layer when hollowing the bowl. Be careful not to whittle away too much of this layer as it gives the bowl strength.
-
4
Make the pipe stem from the slender part of a corn stalk or from a reed. Cut the material with a knife to about 6 inches long and about 3/4 of an inch wide.
-
5
Hollow out the pipe stem using a small twist drill. Blow out the pipe stem, freeing it from any remnants.
-
6
Bore a small hole (slightly smaller than the pipe stem) near the bottom of the hollowed bowl, using the twist drill.
-
7
Twist the pipe stem into the hole for a snug fit. You may have to taper it with a knife to make it fit.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
You may have to sort through several cobs before finding one with a wide pith.
To preserve the pipe, hold it on the cob with your hand instead of clinching the stem with your teeth.
It may take a few smokes before the pipe is seasoned properly, giving tobacco a sweet taste.
Smoking can be hazardous to your health.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit pipe image by Adkok from Fotolia.com
