orley
Junior Member
Posts: 446 
First Name: Paul
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Post by orley on Sept 30, 2017 7:35:42 GMT -5
I like smoking cobs from time to time and have a few in my collection. I tend to like cobs that are a little unusual as well as the regular ones, but I put off buying a MM Freehand cob for quite a while as I figured it would be larger than I like. But this one caught my eye at an online retailer. It was unsmoked, but had a split in the shank, and priced at $10. Split shank, easy fix, but when I got the pipe, I saw the reason for the split shank was the non standard stem that was with it, that I didn't notice from the pics of it. It was vulcanite, but too thick at the tenon and only went in about a quarter of an inch. So after gluing the split in the shank, I had to re-work the stem to make if fit, and get rid of the oxidation on it as well as reshape the button a little. I also stained the shank to better match the bowl. To my surprise, this large pipe is not too heavy and smokes really great. Fired up some MM American Patriot in it and enjoyed a nice long smoke. Any other fans of the MM Freehand cob?  |
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Post by papipeguy on Sept 30, 2017 8:29:26 GMT -5
Outstanding job. That is a great looking cob. Happy smoke rings with it.
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Post by peterd-Buffalo Spirit on Sept 30, 2017 10:17:18 GMT -5
...I have several of these...they are great smokers and between these and the Mark Twain's they are my two favorite types of cobs...
  
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orley
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First Name: Paul
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Post by orley on Sept 30, 2017 11:31:43 GMT -5
I hear ya Peter, I've got a bent Mark Twain too. I bought a Freehand stem for it which makes it better for me. I'm not a fan of the plastic stems that usually come on them. I got a Forever stem on my Country Gentleman, big improvement! I use the plastic stems on my lawn mowing cobs as I clench them and they get chewed up easily but are cheap to replace. I just noticed something from your picture too. Those Freehands have a straight shank with the usual metal cap on the end. Mine has a tapered shank with no cap. I wonder why the difference. (probably cracked shanks)  |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 30, 2017 11:38:01 GMT -5
Pipe Nook has some of the better replacement stems. When I bought my freehand I bought an extra stem to put in one of my other pipes
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Post by Deleted on Sept 30, 2017 13:01:46 GMT -5
That's a first generation Freehand and split shanks were so common with them, that for one not to split was unusual. Congrats on the workaround and enjoy.
PS: you can make a trim ring and obtain some split protection by cutting the button end from a Softy Bit.
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Post by peteguy on Sept 30, 2017 13:04:06 GMT -5
I have one and love it. Look at the pipegram thread for a pic. Terrific smokers these freehands seem to be.
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orley
Junior Member
Posts: 446
First Name: Paul
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Post by orley on Sept 30, 2017 14:48:35 GMT -5
Hey, just being around you guys and gals is an education!
Thanks to all that posted, and Mike for informing me about there being two versions of the Freehand. I suspected as much, but after a little research I did find some pics of the first gen pipes like mine, and surprise, surprise, the stem with mine is original to the pipe. I'll have to be careful taking the stem in and out, but I may look for some kind of metal ring I could use as a band.
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Post by billyklubb on Oct 1, 2017 13:31:10 GMT -5
That's a first generation Freehand and split shanks were so common with them, that for one not to split was unusual. Congrats on the workaround and enjoy. PS: you can make a trim ring and obtain some split protection by cutting the button end from a Softy Bit. my shank finally split in two spots. Not bad enough to be unsmokeable. The softy bit ring does an excellent job! I might have a co-worker turn me a new one from Briar or Morta on his wood lathe. Edit: I smoke my MM Freehand near every day. |
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chasingembers
Senior Member
Posts: 1,910
First Name: Duane
Favorite Pipe: My Growing J. Everett Collection, Fifteen Day Bruce Weaver Set, Meerschaums, Oguz Simsek Skulls
Favorite Tobacco: Black Frigate,Solani Silver Flake, Yenidje Highlander, Angler's Dream, Watch City Slices, Salty Dogs, Mephisto, Ennerdale Flake, Rich Dark Honeydew, 1792 Flake
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Post by chasingembers on Oct 2, 2017 2:41:38 GMT -5
I haven't found a Missouri Meerschaum that I didn't like, and the Freehand is a great one!  |
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Zach
Pro Member
If you can't send money, send tobacco.
Posts: 4,365
First Name: Zach
Favorite Pipe: Too many currently, bound to change
Favorite Tobacco: Haunted Bookshop, Big 'N' Burley, Pegasus, Habana Daydream, OJK, Rum Twist, FVF, Escudo, Orlik Golden Sliced, Kendal Flake, Ennerdale
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Post by Zach on Oct 2, 2017 9:48:29 GMT -5
Great pipes, Mike sent one to me and billyklubb and I've only removed the stem once or twice and will keep that to a minimum. All Missouri Meerschaum cobs are awesome. |
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Post by Artistik on Oct 2, 2017 14:03:34 GMT -5
Great job! Love the pipe.
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orley
Junior Member
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First Name: Paul
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Post by orley on Oct 2, 2017 18:21:55 GMT -5
Hey Duane, too bad MM doesn't make a pipe in the Sav 904 shape. lol
billyklubb, just glad to hear about your experiences with these Freehands. Makes me like the pipe even more!
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Post by billyklubb on Oct 2, 2017 19:15:37 GMT -5
Hey Duane, too bad MM doesn't make a pipe in the Sav 904 shape. lol billyklubb, just glad to hear about your experiences with these Freehands. Makes me like the pipe even more! I'm pretty sure Mike put a Softee ring on Zach's as well. it's a workhorse of a pipe! |
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chasingembers
Senior Member
Posts: 1,910
First Name: Duane
Favorite Pipe: My Growing J. Everett Collection, Fifteen Day Bruce Weaver Set, Meerschaums, Oguz Simsek Skulls
Favorite Tobacco: Black Frigate,Solani Silver Flake, Yenidje Highlander, Angler's Dream, Watch City Slices, Salty Dogs, Mephisto, Ennerdale Flake, Rich Dark Honeydew, 1792 Flake
Location:
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Post by chasingembers on Oct 2, 2017 20:08:43 GMT -5
Hey Duane, too bad MM doesn't make a pipe in the Sav 904 shape. lol billyklubb, just glad to hear about your experiences with these Freehands. Makes me like the pipe even more! I know! The Mark Twain is kind of close, but right now my favorite cob is the Reverse Calabash. |
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