Great advice Moo. I'm just learning to appreciate flake tobacco and it is definitely moving up on my favorites.
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I just ordered a couple Missouri Mearschaum cob pipes from smokingpipes.com. I figured they would serve as my first pipes to try the hobby out and if I don't like it I'm not out very much cash. Question is, do they break or wear out really easily? And what do you recommend for me to try based on enjoying more full bodied cigars and hating flavoured tobacco?
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Welcome Braeden. A lot of guys like to go with a Latakia blend like Frog Morton or Squadron Leader. Blends like these have a smokey flavor and are easy to smoke without overheating. If you are used to strong cigars, pipe tobacco will never match the strength or body of a cigar, so initially you may find the experience a little lacking but you're pallet will adjust.

Your cobs should serve you well for a long time under normal conditions.
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Well I placed my first order through smokingpipes.com. For my first tobaccos I ordered Peterson Irish Flake, Gawith Full Virginia Flake, Balkan Sasieni, and Captain Black Dark (I know it probably sucks but it was like 2.50 for the pouch so I figured I would throw it in. I'm looking forward to trying these out.

Thanks a lot for your advice Quan, I'm sure I will have more questions.
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Abnormal circumstances include smoking outdoors until the cob has a little cake inside. A slight breeze over a new cob can burn it out in short order. Ask me how I know. :-)

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So at this point is the pipe still okay to use or will the pipe (combust) catch fire. Also will the burnt cob change the flavor of the tobacco?
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I'll make sure to break in the cob away from the wind. Thanks for the tip
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At the point in the photo the pipe was getting hard to hold from the heat. I did the same thing with another new cob - a General - 2 1/2 years ago. The outside on this one showed a dark brown spot, was pretty well gutted and too hot to touch while smoking.

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The cob in the post above was a fat little Hackert, about Legend size; neither of the pipes tasted ill. I mudded them both and they have been giving perfect service for many years. The General may be the best smoking pipe I ever owned. No more hot spot after smoothing in some mud and a few smokes:

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Does mudding actually mean rubbing mud inside? Or am I stupid for thinking that?
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Pipe mud is made with cigar ash and water that is mixed into a paste. It's magic stuff and can be used to raise the heal of a poorly drilled pipe, or fill in a spot that has started to burn out on a cob.
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Oh I see, that's cool
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... or a briar! Heel below elevated with mud:

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The bricks of Moo's house is actually mortared with pipe mud.
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Any special preparations needed for lighting up a virgin pipe Quan? Mine should be arriving any day and i am excited to try them out.
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Not so much with a cob. I'd start with the BS, it should give you the most flavor with the least amount of effort. If you're used to cigars thevolume of smoke will be less than what you are used to so avoid the instinct to puff harder.
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This pipe forum has got me very interested in starting smoking pipes. I have been lurking on this side of the forum here for a couple weeks now, picking up info here and there. It has been valuable advice so far and has led me to want to buy a corn cob pipe to start with. My question is does one type of stem (not sure if that's the correct term), whether it's bent or straight make a difference in the taste, draw, or burn? Thanks in advance.
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If you buy a cob, take out the filter, it is useless and does nothing but get soggy and clogged up. Essentially, there is not much difference between straight and bent, I enjoy both. However, if anything, a bent will collect condensation and cause a gurgle more easily than a straight. Cobs are great smokers to try pipe smoking.
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Thanks Todd! I think I'll try a straight one to start off.
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When I buy cobs that have the orange bits like the Legend. I only buy the straight shape. The orange plastic bits aren't bent as much as they are kinked and a lot of junk builds up in that kink, and a pipe cleaner can't get it out very well.
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I've enjoyed pipes since I was 15-16 on and off (about 20 years). I'm no expert but thought I had a pretty decent idea of what was what. That said, I want to thank all the OFs on here as you've opened my eyes to several things I was unaware of. Most importantly, the new-found appreciation for a nice cob.

May your bowls always be full gentlemen, thank you.
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