Announcing the WINNERs of the 2013 Cobfoolery Contest

Without any further adieu, we are pleased to announce the winners of the first annual, Aristocob a Cobfoolery Contest.

The winner of the First Prize in the Amateur Category is David Galehouse with his "Ty Cob".  David won a Missouri Meerschaum Freehand pipe on a plaque, and $30 to spend at Aristocob.com.

The second place prize of  a $20 Aristocob.com credit goes to Mike Miller for his Amateur entry. "Cob Comet".

Third place in the Amateur category goes to Joe Skorpen for his "Peace of Corn" pipe.  Joe wins a $10 Aristocob credit.

The winner of the First Prize in the Professional Category is Scott "SparkysPipes" Harris, with his "Aradicalcob".  Scott won a Missouri Meerschaum Freehand pipe on a plaque, and $30 to spend at Aristocob.com.

Second place in the Pro Category, and the prize of a $20 Aristocob.com credit does to Chris Morgan for his Reverse Calabash.

Third place in the Pro Category, and a $10 Aristocob.com credit goes to Riccardo Santia for his "Crown Royal".

Thanks again for everyone who entered, and I'm happy to announce that we will do it again next year.  Stay tuned on the Aristocob Youtube Channel at www.Youtube.com/user/Aristocob and on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/Aristocob

Here's the live announcement of the winners, recorded at Big Star Cigar during the first annual Music City Pipe Show and Sale in Nashville TN.

Here's the first batch of the 2013 Amatuer Cobfoolery Entries!

The following entries are amateur pipe makers, and in many cases first-time pipe makers!  These folks are competing in the "Amateur" category, which is being juried by a team of professional pipe makers and judges from the pipe industry, so these pipes are shown here for your pleasure.

Make sure to click the "Read More" link on the bottom of the post to see ALL of the entries.

CLICK HERE to Vote in the Professional competition

You can learn more about the judges here: http://cobfoolery.blogspot.com/2013/08/meet-judges-of-2013-cobfoolery-corn-cob.html

Shown in no particular order:

Entry 1 (below): Mike M.  (aka: DukeAvan on Youtube)
Note: Mike has two entries.
For the "Cob Comet" Mike modified two cobs into one, and added some modified clothespins for good measure.  Mike said that though he's been woodworking for 20 years and has experimented with making his own pipes for the past few months, he's never done anything like this before.  
Mike made a video in support of his entry: http://youtu.be/hpKtp0vDLNI

Entry 2 (below): Mike M.
For his second entry, "The Seadog", Mike began with a Missouri Meerschaum "General" pipe and custom turned a new shank and drilled the cob to accept it at quite a unique angle.

Entry 3 (below): Angela M. (aka: angelasbrandnewbag on YouTube)
Angela's pipe, "A rose by any other name", began as a previously smoked Missouri Meerschaum "Missouri Pride" pipe.

Entry 4 (below): Jason G. (aka: Armypipesmoker on Youtube)
Jason submitted the first of several Steampunk inspired pipe designs.  This pipe began life as a Missouri Meerschaum Country Gentleman pipe.

Entry 5 (below): Drew W. (aka: The Burning Bowl on YouTube)
Drew says "She smokes like a dream, all the beauty of a Missouri Meerschaum with the smoothness of a church warden".  At the heard of Drew's pipe is a Missouri Meerschaum Legend pipe.
Drew did a video in support of his entry:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2x3_HjjOaIE

Entry 6 (below): Greg H.  (PipeSmokersForum member: Summit)
Greg says his pipe started as a Missouri Meerschaum "General", which he then "chopped about a 1/4 inch off the top and slanted it to give it a cherry wood look.  It sits well and the stock stem has a nice little curve too it. It is quite clenchable now."

Entry 7 (below): Dave G.
Here's that Dave said about his pipe: "I had a Tyrolean shape in mind, so I call this "The Ty Cob Pipe".  I started with a Missouri Meerschaum General, added a MM mini cob pipe, some copper plumbing, and yes - i even used an actual piece of dried corn for the piece that connects the bit to the downtube! And in case anyone freaks about the copper tubing, I did line it with wood so I'm not at risk of any toxic copper fumes."

Entry 8 (below): Joe S.
Joe submitted FOUR pipes, and while that kind of volume like the work of a professional pipe maker, these four pipes are the first pipes he's ever made.
First up, "The Stalker" was made from a Missouri Meerschaum MacArthur (Polished) and American Pipe (Mark Tinsky) Plateau Briar.  Shank: Sugar Maple with Amber Acrylic.  Stem: Acrylic. Tamper:  A modified MM “General” stem topped with a piece of plateau briar. Pipe Rest: Stalks of corn made from California Redwood (base), Hickory (stalks) and Sugar Maple (leaves).

Entry 9 (below): Joe S.
"Peace of Corn" was made from a Missouri Meerschaum MacArthur (Neked) and features American Pipe (Mark Tinsky) Plateau Briar.  There are two separate cob inserts; one being larger than the other for those days when you’re feeling extra corny.  Shank: Sugar Maple, Turquoise Acrylic and Deer Antler. Stem (bit): Acrylic Horn. Pipe Rest: Canoe made of Maple, Leather, Turquoise, Wooden Beads and Turkey Feather. Tamper:  Briar shaped as an oar with modified metal stud."

Entry 10 (below): Joe S.
"The "Cob Commandeer" started as a Missouri Meerschaum MacArthur (Neked). Shank: Missouri Meerschaum Stem, Black Acrylic. Stem: Missouri Meerschaum (flashing removed and polished). Tamper:  A section of MM stem fitted with brass hardware on each end.  Bottom:  1944 wheat penny.  It was on December 18, 1944 when MacArthur was promoted to the rank of 5-Star General.
Rest: General’s Hat made of California Redwood adorned with metal stars.  Magnetic pipe hold.
This piece of briar had more sand than briar … But what could be more appropriate for a pipe named after a guy who made beach landings famous?  Yes, a copper penny is NOT magnetic, but when a magnet is cleverly mounted beneath it is.  Works well. "

Hey look! Cobfoolery is International!

My Canadian buddy Jeff (aka:SLVshadow) shows off his Cobfoolery entry.  Come to think of it, between Riccardo and Jeff, Cobfoolery has officially gone international!

 

Riccardo Santia Shares Some Cobfoolery Tips

Riccardo Santia, the pipe maker behind the R. Santia Ultimate Corn Cob Pipes blew my mind by taking us into his shop to show us some tips and techniques that he uses when he crafts his pipes from original Missouri Meerschaum corn cobs.  Folks, this is professional Cobfoolery!  Riccardo is one of the judges of the Amateur Category of the 2013 Cobfoolery Contest, and is entering a pipe in the Professional Category as well.  Good luck "Carlos"!   

A few more recent examples of Cobfoolery

I've been traveling non-stop for ten straight weeks, and haven't been finding the time as I would have hoped to keep this blog fresh.  Anyway, here are a couple recent entries in the Cobfoolery contest, remember, your entry isn't due until September 10th, so there's plenty of time.

Welcome to the Cobfoolery Blog, by Aristocob.com

OK, now that we have that over with, what happens here?
Well, the Cobfoolery blog is here to support your efforts to improve and/or modify the venerable Missouri Meerschaum (MM) corn cob pipe.

Why would someone want to "mod" a cob?  Good question, and I'm glad to see that you are still with me.

There are several mods and a few reasons why, off the top of my head:

• Replacement of the Mouthpiece (or "bit" as MM calls it) to either an acrylic or hard vulcanized rubber.  Many pipe smokers find that the standard O.E.M. mouthpiece is a little light/weak, and if they tend to clench the pipe they can crack or deform.  Vulcanized rubber replacement mouthpieces are known for their long life and their comfortable mouth-feel, while acrylic mouthpieces are available in many unique colors and styles.  Vulcanized rubber bits for Missouri Meerschaum pipes are available HERE from Aristocob

• Apply a finish/stain/veneer to the cob.  While it is true that the original US Patent that was granted to the founder of Missouri Meerschaum was for the plaster-filled and lacquered finish that is found on may of MM's pipes today, some folks desire a different look or feel for their pipes.   This can range from simply smoothing the original surface with a light sanding, all the way through encapsulating the cob in a veneer of paint, clay or plastic.  MM offered painted cobs in the 1960's and while they were fashionable, purest found that they lost much of their cool-smoking properties and were slow to dry-out following smokes.

• New wood shanks.   The shank on a corn cob pipe is the hollow wooden piece that enters the cob near the bottom of the chamber, and provides a transition to the mouthpiece.  On wooden pipes this is usually incorporated into the same piece of wood as the bowl itself; but on a corn cob pipe the shank is a separate piece.  Some smokers desire the shank to be installed at a different angle, while others are out to lengthen or shorten the shank.  We've seen mods from everything from long churchwardens to short "nose warmers".  Another reason for a custom shank is to incorporate individualized species of wood.  Stock MM shanks are made from birch, and many "cob-modders" (I just made that up) are using woods like cherry, maple and even briar.

• Modifications to the shape of the cob.  Cobs can be shortened, shaped and sculpted using a bandsaw, scroll saw, lathe or hand tools to effect the smoking characteristics as well as for style.  For example, a thinner bowl will feel warmer to the touch, but that transference of heat provides the smoker with a cooler smoke.  Additionally, the shape of the cob and the position of the shank can have a huge effect on the stability of the pipe when clenched between the teeth.  A classic example of this is the pipe that was commissioned by General Douglas MacArthur.   

• Modifications to the ferrule.  From the Latin viriola, meaning "small bracelet", a ferrule is a ring used for fastening, joining, sealing or reinforcement.  Ferrules are found on many hand tools, like chisels, where the tool steel is driven into a wooden handle and where the ferrule prevents the end of the handle from splitting.  On pipes ferrules are often made from precious metals like gold and silver, or are turned from a complimentary acrylic.  Stock Missouri Meerschaum pipes feature a stamped-steel ferrule.

More to come.