Another Collaborative Effort

DOC-CANADA said:
Perhaps my 2 cents isn't needed here, but isn't one of the beauties of corn cob pipes is that they are relatively easy to make - an erstwhile skill in need of reviving, especially for a self-reliant member of a WS&S forum ???? :confused:

Just askin', that's all.:rolleyes:

Doc
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This is true Doc! I know a little about their construction, and one of the problems these days is that corn is genetically engineered to produce more corn and less cob. It's usually too thin to use for a pipe.

The stem is actually a bit trickier though, because you may get lucky and find a fresh but beefy cob. You can use either the top-part of the corn stalk for a stem which needs to be hollowed with something (drill, hot wire) or find a wild rice stalk (which I've never actually seen so can't talk about).

Anyway, the construction of the pipe isn't the hard part (especially of the bowl). It's getting your hands on proper components that can be hard! But if you're in a prolonged woods situation and near corn fields, this will be more feasible. Then you need to worry about finding some decent tobacco!
 
sicily02 said:
.....I just read to day again in Horace Kepharts book about his medicine and about his tea cup........Bryan
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YEAH! That's it! what was I thinking anyway?? I just grabbed it and looked. It's been an arm's-length away and I could not "pull it up." I was stuck on it being Nessmuk because it was contrary to Kephart.

Thanks, Bryan. I am going to post that thread if so meone doesn't beat me to it now. I better search first. Seems someone had a thread titled "What's your medicine" and I didn't get time to read it. Jake, was that you?

And, Bryan, I have mutilated the Peacemaker you sent me. It's a super sweet knife, if not "large" for me, but I have modified the handle to keep the smooth Micarta from slising arouind - gave it some contour. It has given me another idea. Same blade with a "Bushcraft" handle. This one is nice but I created a lot of work for myself. Get me some more stuff to wrap too. I still owe you some work. Review on the "Sorta-Peacemaker" forthcoming.

Oh, and Doc, man, the guilt trip??:thumbup::D
Yeah, good point. I made one from one of those walking-cane-shaped suckers that grows off an Apple tree after you prune off a branch. When I was pruning, I kept finding cool shapes for spoons, walking sticks, pipes, batons, etc. I have to admit that the expedient, while functional, does not provide the same "kind" of satisfaction and pleasure. You did make me feel a little guilty though.:o

Spooky, I am definately going to take you up on that offer! I will compensate one way or another, be it barter or otherwise. Thanks for the generous offer.:thumbup::thumbup:

And, thanks to all for the comments and for sharing. It started as a review but it was a good time to share a little fire with friends, albeit digitally. It just felt good out there, knowing the "dogs" were all feasting on something other than my heels. I love Thanksgiving and Christmas and the fact that everyone else who might otherwise "want something from me" (I'm talking job-wise) is occupied with something else.
 
Cool Jeff- just pm or email me your address. As soon as this Black Friday crap is by the wayside I'll pick you one up. :thumbup:
 
SpookyPistolero said:
......Then you need to worry about finding some decent tobacco!
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How about Kinnikinnik? I know from personal experience that I took far too much far too literally as a kid, so trust me on this one, corn silk is NOT a viable alternative!:barf: Maybe I just didn't do it right.:confused:

Spooky', I would think you would have a better chance of stumbling into a decent stand of tobacco than a decent stand of corn. Converse is the case for me - I am surrounded by corn - organic corn, and the cobs (the whole ears, actually) are so puny and punky that you can't get even a decent wipe out of them. Yeah, I tried that as a kid too.:o Again,... the expedient is considerably less satisfactory than the "sto'-bot" ammenity.:D

No, I don't feel too badly about not crafting my own, as this is specifically an unnecessary "luxury" item. It is meant to be "extravagant" and used sparingly as a reward and motivator - a break from the "norm" of being tired, cold, dirty, hungry and wet.

Now, suppose Doc is yanking our chains and is sitting back snickering about the long philosophic rambling and rationalization spawned from a "poke"..... Good work, Doc.:D:thumbup:
 
Yeah, Doc's always pickin' fights around here. I've tried to get some backup from the mods, to no avail. :D Old curmudgeon... ;)

You're very correct, too, about the likelihood of a tobacco farm versus a corn field. I don't see much corn here, but grew up amongst the tobacco. Makes for some really healthy blends around the pipe shop.

It's actually been a good while since I've had a good smoke, I only do it outside and my wife doesn't care for it. It's a 'must' on the trail though.

[Sorry, by the way, for the thread derailment! This place really does end up like a campfire.]
 
Thats what makes it great though!! Somebody needs to start a woods smoking thread......Handmade pipes, good tobacco etc...
 
As a post-script, I did read somewhere about folks using cattail reeds as stems to their pipes. Something to think about!
 
FYI this thread is responsible for me setting aside some nice blocks of wood - once destined for knife handles - to make a few pipes. Thanks a lot, Jeff H. :D

I usually throw a few cigars in my pack when I'm camping. In my experience, there are few things that compare to enjoying a nice cigar while watching the sun set over the mountains after a day of paddling and hiking.

Off to find a source for pipe stems,

All the best,

- Mike
 
SpookyPistolero said:
....Old curmudgeon... ;)

....[Sorry, by the way, for the thread derailment! This place really does end up like a campfire.]
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This forum would suck without a good Curmudgeon. At least our Curmudgeon is better than other forums' curmudgeons because ours has a qualified opinion.

No sweat abot "derailment," as long as the mods are OK with it. Actually, I drug it off course right off the bat.:o
 
Man, I've been called many things in my day, in fact, being in consumer service, I usually get called them every day, but 'curmudgeon' is a first. Now I really feel old.:(

Actually it wasn't a poke (although I'm not above taking one :rolleyes:), I wanted to see somebody pick up the glove, make one or several, and create a tutorial. The expedient thing, of course, is to buy one. But, if everybody took the expedient path:

-most of the knifemakers on this forum, that we know and love, wouldn't be knifemakers, they would be knife buyers.

-Les Stroud would stay in hotels at night.

-nobody would use a flint and steel, much less a bow drill or a hand drill.

-Horn Dog would have just thrown out the Tracker instead of taking the time to reprofile and send it to Maisy's buddy.

-k.............well, I'm sure you can think of many of your own.

If I didn't hate smoking (rabid ex-smoker) as much as I do, I would do it, but since I do. Wait................ am I wrong, or did jw volunteer?

I guess we'll have to wait and see (all you smart-a$$ young whippersnappers!!) :mad: :D:D

Doc
 
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Haha, aw I'm sorry Doc! It was a cheap jab. :o

In all seriousness I always enjoy your posts here, without a doubt. :thumbup: And without the initial thought, we wouldn't have half this thread.
 
SpookyPistolero said:
Haha, aw I'm sorry Doc! It was a cheap jab. :o...........
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"Sorry?" I thought we were honoring Doc.


Doc, if I offended you, you have my sincerest apologies as well. Respectful ribbing of one who's seasoned input I appreciate a great deal.


EDIT: No! Wait a minute! I am not falling for that one! He said "whippersnappers." C'mon, now, THAT's codgerly.
And I still think it's an honor anyway.
 
Jeff H said:
EDIT: No! Wait a minute! I am not falling for that one! He said "whippersnappers." C'mon, now, THAT's codgerly.
And I still think it's an honor anyway.
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Hahaha, the proof really is in the pudding! Maybe we could start a WSS curmudgeon's club. I get to be treasurer, though!
 
Hey guys, take a deep breath! No one offended me! I thought the 'smilies' would have made that clear. :D

I asked a friend of mine once (who is a member of the First Nations) what he preferred to be called -an Indian, member of First Nations, native, etc. etc. His response - "I don't care, as long as there's no malicious intent" A wise man!


Whippersnappers!!! :mad: :D

Doc


Oh, and BTW, there is only one Codger here, and his name is 64! :thumbup:
 
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Excellent, curmudgeon status maintained! Please send $500 (or a Bravo1) to me, the treasurer, in order to secure your spot in the WSS-CC. :thumbup:
 
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