Bore Diameters and Impact on Packing

[mawnansmiff]

"What's your definition of identical?"
John, I meant identical in shape, size and form. They are both actually stamped "The Cornwall Cigar Company, Penzance Cornwall" but are made by Parker's of London.
Nice smokers but a little on the large size for regular use by me :roll:
Regards,
Jay.

 

[craiginthecorn]

Assuming cylindrical chambers of identical depth, the .75" bowl holds almost 1/5th less tobacco than the .83" bowl. So, not a huge difference, but not insignificant.

 

[saltedplug]

Pipe smokers are analytical, and especially early on try to understand every aspect of their habit. But in so doing they ask many question that have no answer, the most telling proof of which is that in a double-blind test the variable would not be detected.
Chamber diameter is one of those things.
Cure of the wood, drilling diameter, openness of the bit, mortise/tenon chamfering, gap of the stem at the shank, chamber geometry are others.

 

[bassbug]

Not directed at anyone in particular...
I don't know who, but I'm sure someone said it...
Shut up and smoke :puffpipe:

 

[bowler1]

Hi,

Thanks for the responses; however, I don't think anyone understood my question. My question was not focused on the virtues of bigger or smaller bore and how one would smoke significantly different from another. My question was about packing a bigger bore vs. a smaller bore and if there were a consideration of packing tighter, looser, filling the bowl higher before tamping down, etc.
My issue with the larger bore pipes I have is that I seem to be unsuccessful in packing them well which results in a sub-optimal smoke. Regardless of bore diameter, a lousy back results in a lousy smoke. I think we can all agree on that one.
Also would disagree that I am splitting hairs with the different bowl sizes. .71 to .83 is a noticeable jump...in this case from a large Dunhill Group 2 to a large Dunhill Group 4. With the .71 diameter I can fit my index finger in with a snug fit and with the larger bowl I can get most of my thumb in the bowl. It is a noticeable difference.
Matt

 

[jpmcwjr]

Matt-
My experience suggests that if the tobacco is dried down (and it varies immensely with initial moisture, cut and type of leaf) there's no trouble in loading a bowl; no "technique" required.
I'd start with a loose-ish pack, and tamp as necessary. Bada-bing! It works with all size chambers. Note: flake and plug are more difficult to work with, but yield great results when handled as above.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

You said it Jpmcwjr, that is as simply as that, airing&loose-ish pack unless fine ribbon is concerned

 

[mawnansmiff]

On the rare occasion I have to pack a ribbon/shag cut blend then I dry it further than I would say a flake blend.
Then I would pack it nice and tight to get a reasonable smoke. Otherwise I would get say 20 minute smoke from a ribbon/shag against a full hour for a flake cut.
Regards,
Jay.