At Old Dominion Pipe Company we are committed to producing only handcrafted traditional smoking pipes that give our customers the true enjoyment of smoking a pipe right out of the pages of history. While many modern pipes employ a variety of plastics, acrylics, and other modern man-made materials, our pipes are painstakingly crafted from only natural materials into proven historically accurate designs.
Our corn cob pipes feature a natural corn cob bowl handcrafted from heirloom Indian corn and white corn varieties that we grow and harvest on our Virginia farm. The color variations in Indian corn carry over in the color of the cobs and cobs are carefully selected so that each pipe bowl is a unique, one-of-a-kind creation. Our heirloom white corn cob pipes are among our largest offerings for customers seeking a longer smoking and more substantial cob pipe for savoring their favorite tobacco blends. The stems for both our Indian and white corn pipes are made from natural bamboo cane as was used in the making of corn cob pipes up through the early 20th century.
Today, in keeping with the legacy of the early pipe makers, Old Dominion Pipe Company proudly embraces the American tradition of using the “reed stem” and introducing it to a whole new generation of pipe smokers. This natural bamboo cane varies slightly from stem to stem due to minor deviations in size and natural imperfections. These minor variations in size and shape give each stem its own unique, original quality. Our bamboo stems are not glued into the cob bowls but rather are individually hand tapered and fitted to each bowl and simply held in place by tension as was the traditional method of securing the stem to the bowl. When purchasing an Old Dominion corn cob pipe, you will truly receive a one-of-a-kind creation, not a mass produced pipe!
Our large white corn cob pipes like our Virginia Planter and Richmond feature a hardwood base plug. During the 20th century, corn cob pipe makers began incorporating hardwood base plugs on some of their models to give them added strength and durability. We have chosen to follow their example with these larger cob pipes. The base plugs are secured in place using a non-flammable, heat resistant, and VOC Compliant silicone sealant that is also USDA approved.
Our newest cob offering is our simple but elegant "Shenandoah" model. This pipe is made from the same heirloom white corn variety as our Virginia Planter and Richmond models, but is smaller in size and features a plaster and laquered bowl exterior. This pipe is reminiscent of a style first introduced around the 1890s and continued in production as late as the 1940s. It features an ample 11/16" diameter smoking chamber for a satisfying smoke. Using original pipes of this style in our collection as models, we have painstakenly recreated this once common corn cob pipe down to very exacting detail.
While all of our corn cob pipes are designed as functional pipes for use by tobacco pipe smokers, we also realize that non-smokers, who may not have an interest in smoking our pipes, may instead have a sincere interest in collecting them. Our pipes are truly accurate reproductions of traditional corn cob pipes dating back more than 100 years! The pipe makes an interesting souvenir representing an historical artifact of rural Americana and a folk symbol of American culture from the mid 1800s through the turn of the 20th century. Civil War and Western living historians as well as cowboy action enthusiasts will find that our cob pipe can also add an interesting flare to their individual impressions. Our pipes also make historically accurate props for theatrical productions as well as for use in films and documentaries.