Tonight's Smoke...And a Lesson Learned by a Newbie

deckpiper · May 9, 2018

I don't smoke every day. I use it as a time out from the hustle and bustle of life (and as a reward for sticking to my new exercise regime).
Tonight, a mid-weekday night, I had the house to mayself. I went on my deck, overlooking the forest behind my house...Vauen Ascot 172...Lane BCA (the first tobacco I bought since taking up pipe smoking recently)...some good Chianti I opened last night for spaghetti dinner (I was surprised: the chianti went better with this smoke tonight than it did with my spaghetti last night). Finish off with just a splash of Camus VSOP cognac.
Lesson: Tamping. I had no idea it would make such a difference. I never had a tool, but I finally got one a few weeks ago, and it helps so much smoking an entire bowl. Duh. Everyone said to get one; they were right.
Nice relaxing night.

dottiewarden · May 9, 2018

A lot of us use our finger, however, a proper tamper can be very useful in keeping the burn even. Congrats on your wonderful evening smoke.

mikethompson · May 10, 2018

The Czech tool is a wonderful thing

jacks6 · May 10, 2018

Always have one on ya!

johnbarleycorn · May 10, 2018

Life without a tool would be pretty bleak. Don’t ya think?

bnichols23 · May 10, 2018

I usually carry a pipe nail in my pocket, but the Czech tool is so necessary I always keep several around. Just don't usually carry one since they tend to catch on pocketknives, nail clippers, *lighters*....

Since in the car I can usually dig in my pocket I keep both a nail & a thimble in the console. Too useful to be without!

npod · May 10, 2018

@bnichols. I like the idea of a thimble. That would be great for smoking while walking the dogs, such a pain to keep stopping to pull out the tamper. Cheers.

bnichols23 · May 10, 2018

Plus, when you know your car by feel, you don;'t have to take your eyes off the road (other than to flick the lighter, of course).

saltedplug · May 10, 2018

Use your fingers to tamp.

jpmcwjr · May 10, 2018

Tampers: Golf tees, tree branches cut up in 2-3" lengths, nails with largeish heads, someone else's finger. (I use finger for tamping when it's gone out, but not on a hot ember). Czech tools, yes, but a real pipe tool can ream to a small extent.

oldtoby · May 10, 2018

Thimbles are very useful, along with a cheap pipe nail. Never cared for the Czech tools myself.
Don't use your friggin' finger, unless there's no alternative. Makes a terrible mess, having to clean the ashes off your pinky. I've broken branches off trees or picked up twigs to tamp when I've been caught without.
Of course, ifin' you're working in the yard or garden, it won't matter, as one can simply rub your finger onto your pant leg. (Yeah, I've been guilty of that)

In other words, don't use your finger. 'Tis totally uncivilized. :wink:
Ok, Salty. Don't start no shyte, won't be none. :D

bnichols23 · May 11, 2018

If I'm doing the first load, I'll use finger if need be. Post-charring light, no way in Perdition, José. Got more respect for my digits than that.....

mso489 · May 11, 2018

Everyone has their favorite pipe tool, from bejeweled to a finger. I have several Czech tools, but I have become devoted to pipe nails for their shear simplicity, and since they cost a buck or less apiece, I find, superstitiously, I never lose them. The scoop doubles as a pick and the tamper is excellent. Yes, tamping is an art. You need a tamper to settle the first light or two in place, and once or twice more before the bowl is done. When you get it right, you do not put out the ember, just settle it in place.

bnichols23 · May 11, 2018

It's funny, though, mso -- years ago I always followed (*&* preached) the gospel of the charring light Without

Exception, yet recently I find that on some of my bowls (the larger & best drilled ones, usually, though not always), I can do a good initial load, fire it up, & smoke all the way down without ever recompressing. Another of God's little jokes, on me, I guess. Go figure.

cosmicfolklore · May 11, 2018

It's funny, though, mso -- years ago I always followed (*&* preached) the gospel of the charring light Without

Exception

When you get to be good at pipesmoking, all of that BS that we tell newbies about packing, and charring light just fall to the wayside. Now, I just scoop some in, fire it up without all of the drama and fanfare. Heck, I sometimes find myself smoking without a single memory of having packed or lit the pipe. It's just a mindless mechanical action. The important part is the smoking... and the nicotine. : puffy

:

dottiewarden · May 12, 2018

When you get to be good at pipesmoking, all of that BS that we tell newbies about packing, and charring light just fall to the wayside. Now, I just scoop some in, fire it up without all of the drama and fanfare.

Codger scoop is the method I now typically use, however, there's a lot more going on than meets the eye. I have to attribute much of the pipe smoking skills I've acquired over the years to the thousands of posts I've read here on these threads. Thanks to all, including Cosmicfolklore, for the subtle details that contribute to an enhanced pipe smoking experience.

pianopuffer · May 12, 2018

I take it the codger scoop is simply that? Scoop with the pipe into the tobacco and pat it down?
Wondering how this method works for other cuts that aren’t ribbon like most OTC blends...

deckpiper · May 13, 2018

Regarding the Czech tool: I duplicated my smoke form the first post tonight. I must have packed in the tobacco too tightly? I had to use the poker for the first time. Seemed to be something blocking the air flow, as if a piece of tobacco was right in the hole to the stem. I first poked a hole through, and then had to poke right near the stem, and move the tobacco back from the stem hole. (Probably wrong terminology?) Anyway, it worked out. Good tool.

dottiewarden · May 13, 2018

I take it the codger scoop is simply that?

Rubbed out flake can get pretty fluffy and pack similarly to ready rub. Cube cut gravity feeds quite well. The main point here though is as you get more mileage behind you on the pipe, it all gets done on auto-pilot: better smokes, more often!

jpmcwjr · May 13, 2018

I take it the codger scoop is simply that? Scoop with the pipe into the tobacco and pat it down?

Yes, that's it!

Wondering how this method works for other cuts that aren’t ribbon like most OTC blends...

Just fine, as long as the tobacco is dry enough. (flakes, coins and plugs often take much longer to dry.)

Tonight's Smoke...And a Lesson Learned by a Newbie

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