Pipe Tool

johnparker

Starting to Get Obsessed

Aug 22, 2013

112

0

• Oct 17, 2013

• #1

Have a Czech pipe tool. Have figured what the tamper is for. Believe I understand the purpose of the spoon. But what is the correct/designed use for the pick? Lately I have been using to stir as I reach the end of the bowl, but do not know if that is its intent. Thanks again!

 

anthonyrosenthal74

Lifer

Jan 8, 2013

7,493

733

• Oct 17, 2013

• #2

I believe it's meant for stirring the ash and/or the tobacco. There were a few bowls I've packed too tight and it came in handy to loosen the tobacco so I could get a descent draw. Little thing came in handy and I wish I still had it. I purchased a new pipe tool that didn't have the pick and gave the Czech tool to a coworker who started smoking a pipe. I may have to get another

 

lincolnsbark

Part of the Furniture Now

Apr 11, 2013

641

0

• Oct 17, 2013

• #3

Sometimes I'll pack a little too tightly and poke a hole from the top straight to the draw hole and that usually loosens the draw up considerably.

 

mso489

Lifer

Feb 21, 2013

41,210

60,459

• Oct 17, 2013

• #4

Yeah, stirring a lit bowl and using it lightly after the scoop if there are pieces of tobacco stuck in the airway at

the bottom of the bowl. It is certainly the Czech tool feature I use least, but I do use it. To the huge amusement

of my fellow Forums members, I once advised caution when using it near your face for eye safety. Yes it was a

slightly neurotic remark (don't stick your table fork in your eye, type thing) but still a point to keep in mind,

when you're tamping your pipe, folding the newspaper, and sipping your tea all at once, as some of us do.

Petting your dog.

 

bryanf

Part of the Furniture Now

Jul 16, 2013

742

8

• Oct 17, 2013

• #5

That pick is about the only tool that I use every bowl. After knocking out my used up ash, I use it to pick out bits from bottom of the bowl. I then pull the stem (army mount so can be pulled hot) and use the pick to ream out the draft hole. Shake the stem and blow the moisture out and she's clean and ready for the next bowl. I don't use the tamper much. Prefer my pinky. I use the spoon sometimes to smooth out cake. Especially after smoking some burley. Czech tool is the only one I've owned and it's a great simple design. One of these days I want to get a nicer tool with a pipe knife on it for reaming and cutting tobacco. I've seen some nice ones under $20 but always sold out. I ream my pipe about every three weeks so it would get good use. The spoon tends to chip the cake when it gets real thick.
Great question about my favorite tool!

 

bluesmk

Can't Leave

Jul 13, 2013

446

3

Bethlehem,PA

• Oct 17, 2013

• #6

I've used that poker spike quite a few times to open a cigar with a tight draw.

Dan

Gabrieli Pipes

 

metalheadycigarguy

Lifer

Apr 26, 2012

3,379

5,543

Washington State

• Oct 18, 2013

• #7

I use it to free up the draw if its to restricted, but I also use it at the end of each bowl. After knocking out my ash, I'll take the poker and stir it around the bowl to loosen up any tobacco left in the bottom of the bowl.

 

erichbaumer

Part of the Furniture Now

Dec 4, 2012

738

5

Illinois

• Oct 18, 2013

• #8

I've also found it useful in clearing a blocked airway, which can happen when I'm extinguishing a pipe, sticking it in a jacket pocket, walking/sitting etc, and go to relight it. It's not long enough for all pipes, but it works for all but one of the pipes I carry around.

 

phred

Lifer

Dec 11, 2012

1,754

4

• Oct 18, 2013

• #9

I use the pick mostly to open up a tight pack, but I also use it when cleaning out my cobs - with the shank extension in the bottom of the bowl, there are a lot of nooks and crannies to deal with. Do be careful, though - I did poke right through the bottom of one of my cobs (evidently not one with the wood insert...). It still smokes just fine.

 

cortezattic

Lifer

Nov 19, 2009

15,147

7,638

Chicago, IL

• Oct 18, 2013

• #10

I owe this tip to another of our members, and regrettably I cannot remember who offered it. It often works for me...
Every now and then a poorly packed bowl will not light evenly across the surface no matter how you tilt the pipe.

Use the poker to create a draft hole (white dot) down the side opposite of where the ember (red) stubbornly keeps drawing the match's flame.

 

hedgehog

Might Stick Around

Sep 25, 2013

61

10

• Oct 18, 2013

• #11

I use it for stirring dottle before my last, sad, despairing attempts to relight a smoked-out bowl. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't; when it doesn't, it's not the pick's fault. I've had less success using it for jousting, pole vaulting, tracheotomies, and seed-drilling, but that could easily be lack of practice.

 

pylorns

Lifer

Aug 20, 2013

2,116

353

Austin, Texas

www.thepipetool.com

• Oct 18, 2013

• #12

Every now and then a poorly packed bowl will not light evenly across the surface no matter how you tilt the pipe.

Use the poker to create a draft hole (white dot) down the side opposite of where the ember (red) stubbornly keeps drawing the match's flame.

Click to expand...

@cortez Thanks! Excellent tip - I never though of that and I have that issue periodically and its frustrating.

 

mso489

Lifer

Feb 21, 2013

41,210

60,459

• Oct 18, 2013

• #13

Nice pipe knife. I think you've sold a few of those with this post, perhaps to me.

 

carcosa

Starting to Get Obsessed

Oct 21, 2013

207

85

• Oct 24, 2013

• #14

I've been using the pick to test if the bowl is spent and to mix it up a bit to finish it off. After mixing the bottom of the bowl it does seem to get hot more easily...