If I had only one cob I wouldn't spend the money for one of these stems, but I have dozens, (don't ask why), and the first thing I do when I get a new filtered cob is toss the original stem. So, I have a box full of cobs with no stems and a couple of Forever stems which are switched from pipe to pipe. I love the broad, flat mouthpiece on these stems, perfect for a gentleman of my advanced years whose teeth are not as firmly rooted as they once were.