Starter pipe

Cob is also nice because it does not ghost like a briar will. Smoking different kinds of baccy in a briar (Virginia, Virginia/Perique, English, Balkan, etc.) will lead to ghosting of flavors. The pipe may end up mucking up the baccy taste.

Not an issue when you have enough pipes to dedicate to different tobacco types, but it can be an issue when starting out.

I always have a couple of cobs for trying new baccys.

Cost is also an advantage. Sucks to buy a $75 briar and find you don't like pipe smoking.

Hope that helps.

-Tyler