Smoking only cobs, I finally picked up 2 briars (I think) from an antique store. They are an Englander's Natural and a Thorneycraft BBB own make. I paid $7. I reamed them out, then gave them a 24 hour salt treatment with some 90% alcohol. Hardly any brownish residue came off, so I think it is pretty clean. Those pipes had so much cake that I couldn't fit the tamp 1/4th down.
I know it takes about 3 or 4 pipe fulls on a cob to get rid of the woodsy flavor, but with these two briars, even after 20 smokes, I don't get much flavor at all. Do cobs always produce more flavor? I am not sure what I am doing wrong with the briars if not.
These briars are also straight stems. They produce so much moisture that if i take the stem off (yea, i know I am not supposed to) and blow, tons of drops come out. I can do that every 2 or 3 minutes. I _never_ have moisture issues with a cob.
I'd like to purchase a brand new briar, but am very hesitant to spend the money if it produces the same results...
Argh, I am just frustrated..
I know it takes about 3 or 4 pipe fulls on a cob to get rid of the woodsy flavor, but with these two briars, even after 20 smokes, I don't get much flavor at all. Do cobs always produce more flavor? I am not sure what I am doing wrong with the briars if not.
These briars are also straight stems. They produce so much moisture that if i take the stem off (yea, i know I am not supposed to) and blow, tons of drops come out. I can do that every 2 or 3 minutes. I _never_ have moisture issues with a cob.
I'd like to purchase a brand new briar, but am very hesitant to spend the money if it produces the same results...
Argh, I am just frustrated..