For those of you that still smoke

[peternap]

As many here know, I didn't quit smoking, I quit paying for it. I'm growing my own OBAMA BACKY and have gotten enough free from neighboring farms, to last until mine is ready....OK

How do you smoke it. Cigar, if you want to roll your own and have access to wrapper leaves, or roll your own cigarettes...nope, I don't want to pay for papers. NO, Obama ain't getting anything from me but the Bronx cheer.

A pipe, I used to smoke a pipe and still had a couple left. One Meerschaum lined with silver inlay. It was $200.00 20 years ago. No, that's a wall hanger.

A couple of Briar pipes and they are fine but Briar needs a rest of a week after smoking for a day or so. Besides, I wanted unusual.

While at Colonial Williamsburg, I bought two clay Inn Pipes  ($5.00). I shortened one to four inches as a carrying pipe and left one full length. Clay doesn't need the resting period Briar does, and these smoke wonderfully.

Then I started thinking Corncob. These are next on my "To Make " List.

Mr. President....Kiss my.............................


http://www.motherearthnews.com/Do-It-Yourself/1973-01-01/Cut-Smoking-With-A-Corncob-Pipe.aspx

Everybody knows the "farmer's meerschaum". At least, we've all seen factory-made corncob pipes in the stores — for 50¢ or a buck each — complete with plastic stem and, sometimes, a metal filter that filters nothing, but does heat up the smoke so that it burns your tongue.

It's pretty certain, however, that the kind of old-timer who made the corncob pipe famous didn't go to the store when he needed a new one. In the first place, there was probably nowhere to shop within a day's ride of his place . . . and besides, the thrifty farmer thought, why buy what you can make? If a return to that kind of self-sufficiency makes sense to you — as it does to many folks these days — you may want to try your hand at a homemade smoking tool.

To begin, you have to get hold of a good corncob. I'm serious! Just any old cob won't do. For one thing, the best pipe material is a recently grown ear that's still firm and not soft with age. Moreover, I'm told that the new hybrid corns are no dern good for pipe making because they're bred to produce as much kernel and as little cob as possible. In other words, the pith — the soft core of the ear — is too small to hollow out properly. Corn of the old Yellow Dent variety is probably best, if you can find it.

(A) Corncob pipes vary in size and shape, so tailor yours to fit your hand comfortably. (B) You'll note that mine is of the "extra-large" variety. (C) Use the larger blade of your penknife to dig out the pith to a depth of two inches. (D) Employ your finger and knife blade as a guage. (E) Make a hole for the stem with a twist drill. (F) Cut your wild rice stalk above the joint mouthpiece and trim to desired length. (G-H) Prepare the end that presses into the bowl with a diagonal cut. (I) Clean out the stem joint. (J) press-fit the bowl with a U-shaped cut upward, and (K) you got yer own dandy corncob pipe!

At any rate, select some likely looking cobs and pick them over to find one that has [1] an end that will fit your hand comfortably and [2] plenty of pith. Needless to say, you'll have to break a few ears to find out what their structure is like.

When you've found your cob, snap off one end to a good length for a pipe bowl . . . about two and a half inches suits me, and I like the pointed end because it seems to fit my hand better. You can trim the break nice and even all the way 'round if you want to, though doing so won't make your pipe smoke any better.

After trimming (or not trimming) the top of the bowl, take the larger blade of your penknife and dig the pith out of the cob with a twisting motion . . . down to a depth of about two inches (estimate by using your knife and finger as a gauge). You'll notice that the next layer out from the core is hard and woody. That firm ring is what gives your pipe its durability, so don't pare it away too much. Your finished hole will be one-half to three-quarters of an inch across, depending on the size of the cob.

[phalynx]

On a warm evening, sitting out on the front porch with a church warden pipe is about as good as it gets.  Say what you want about smoking, it is enjoyable.

[MountainDon]

I loved all my pipes. At one time I had about 20. Some were made by my sister when she worked on the Isle of Mann at the Laxey Pipe factory. Some were just Meerschaum lined, others solid. They sure smoked good.

I also loved Cuban cigars; legal in Canada. The only thing I ever smuggled into the US.

Sigh...  They were enjoyable, but I'm still happy I gave it up.

[Sonoran]

I loved all my pipes. At one time I had about 20. Some were made by my sister when she worked on the Isle of Mann at the Laxey Pipe factory. Some were just Meerschaum lined, others solid. They sure smoked good.

I also loved Cuban cigars; legal in Canada. The only thing I ever smuggled into the US.

Sigh...  They were enjoyable, but I'm still happy I gave it up.

Why are Cuban cigars illegal?  Also, I heard that the women in the factories who make the cigars will rub the paper on their legs to make it stick to itself when they wrap it...ever heard that?

[MountainDon]

Because since the US imposed a trade embargo in 1962, nothing is supposed to move either way between the two countries. I've always wondered how many cuban cigars might be found in the posession of senatots and other high ranking officials.


Technically a US citizen is not even supposed to buy a Cuban cigar when anywhere in the world where cuban cigars are available. In the Caribbean there is a big trade in counterfeit cuban cigars, aimed at American tourists. Individual fines up to $250K and/or 10 years in the pokey.


Not all Cuban cigars are great, but many are. There are Dominican and Nicaraguan cigars that beat Cubans. You can pay $30-40 each.    You can; I won't. 

[glenn kangiser]

Peter --- is there not tax on tobacco... are you not in violation if you don't buy legally stamped product? 

How can you live with yourself?  

[phalynx]

He is not selling it.  No tax.  Only manufacturers of smoking products have to pay the tax.  I would say Peter is storing the leaves in tightly compacted small storage containers waiting incineration.

[glenn kangiser]

Does that mean i can make my own white lightning if I don't sell it?

[peternap]

Peter --- is there not tax on tobacco... are you not in violation if you don't buy legally stamped product? 

How can you live with yourself?  

[phalynx]

Does that mean i can make my own white lightning if I don't sell it?

Dude,,, you live in Kulifornia, you can't pee without a permit.....  But I do believe you can make your own alcohol as log as it's not over a certain amount per year and you don't sell it.

[MountainDon]

There's a mish mash of laws;federal and state. Federal allows the production of beer and wine for personal consumption. However, not all states allow that. Some are ambiguous.

http://www.beertown.org/homebrewing/legal.html

Distilled spirits are prohibited to be manufacrured without the payment of the federal tax and a facility permit. Details are available at...http://www.ttb.gov/spirits/27cfrpart019.htm


General alcohol facts are available... http://www.ttb.gov/faqs/genalcohol.shtml

As far as I can tell it IS legal to own a still if you use it for distilling water.  It's my bet that if you made moonshine for your own use, kept your mouth shut about it, absolutely never sold it or gave it away, you would not be likely to be arrested over it.


Also, as far as I can tell there are no US government regulations on the growing and personal use of home grown tobacco. Just don't sell or trade it.

[glenn kangiser]

I have plans for a still that will make 198 proof or somewhere around there on the first run.  It is for making fuel actually.  I guess I could run low on fuel?

It was exempt for fuel use but you were supposed to make it undrinkable.   

We have sold out our freedom to make moonshine for the privilege of being taxed to death.

[phalynx]

This is true.  If it were truly bad, they would outlaw it... But instead, because it is SOOOOOOOOOO bad for our health, we should tax it...logic,,,,,,,, pure logic, well, gov't logic.

[glenn kangiser]

The taxes simply support the welfare of the parasites who collect them.  Why would they legislate themselves out of a job? hmm

[phalynx]

Well, the welfare allows people who can't afford both food and alcohol/smokes to have their food subsidized so they can afford to pay for alcohol/smokes.  What a great country we have become.