Czech Tool vs. ... Well, More Handsome Alternatives

[LotusEater]

I’ve never owned a Czech tool but I’m not sure why considering how inexpensive they are.
I just bought one of these tampers

No bells and whistles but a cool way to repurpose old silverware

 

[jpmcwjr]

Cool! A bit sad the tamper part isn't plated. But a plated knife handle has a new life!

 

[Egg Shen]

I agree with you

But there are forums for almost everything. I guess that if we are allowed to obsess over burning leaves they can cut their face hairs with tiny knives?

I think maybe he didn’t get my joke? I was eluding to guys on there using a $400 razor when a Mach3 will suffice. But I suppose he’d have to have read the Shaving Forum…nailed by the catch 22

 

[NomadOrb]

I personally like the look of the 8 Deco tampers even though they don't do anything Czech tools don't do:

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Also my favorite. I like that they have teeth on the tamper to break the ash down a bit too.

 

[Rockyrepose]

I have never owned a Czech tool. Guess I'm a tool. I own five not counting the millions laying out in the yard right now.

 

[Reggie]

I made silver tampers for someone in my pipeclub from these Racoon bones. By any chance are you in our pipe club? I noticed that you lived a short way down the road.

No I am not. I should be though. I work for the City of Homewood.

 

[bullet08]

Joke aside, I mostly use pipe nail. One that looks like a horseshoe nail with coke spoon looking thing on the other end. It does what your finger can do without burning your finger. Do carry a Czech tool and it does come handy once in awhile. Do have that French thing, but rarely use it. Nothing wrong with it, and it's a great tool, but too much to carry on trip to the front porch.

 

[Skapie]

I used to make tampers from a piece of wooden rod and a spent cartridge casing. Nickel plated 9mm casings looked the best. I sharpened the other end to dig around in the pipe with but rarely used it.

 

[musicman]

99 percent of my pipe tampering and my dottle stirring is accomplished with a very simple tool: an unpainted wooden golf tee. They’re cheap and effective.

 

[jpmcwjr]

99 percent of my pipe tampering and my dottle stirring is accomplished with a very simple tool: an unpainted wooden golf tee. They’re cheap and effective.

Yes, and plentiful! I must have over a thousand, cause I find more tees than I use. Then I clean out my golf bag's pockets, baggie the tees, and they do accumulate!

If you won't set foot on a golf course, you must have a friend who does. Most golfers will happily donate a dozen tees to a pipe smoker.

 

[Irish Piper]

Huh. Wish I hadn't sold my golf clubs now. Oh well.??‍

 

[jpmcwjr]

The pipe tool I like and use are shown below with a Czech Tool. It has a blade, longer pick, and is way more comfortable in the pocket.

 

[anotherbob]

I think maybe he didn’t get my joke? I was eluding to guys on there using a $400 razor when a Mach3 will suffice. But I suppose he’d have to have read the Shaving Forum…nailed by the catch 22

sorry but mach 3 and other disposable razors are garbage. I can get through not even half a beard before they go useless. Where a feather blade will last me through at least 7 or more shaves.

 

[jwesthurl]

Nothing fancy but these are fun to forge!

 

[jpmcwjr]

Very handsome and handy tamper! And scoop...

 

[mso489]

l like my horseshoe nail, but the pipe nail head is a little bigger and has that round edge that is so precise for settling an ember, it's first choice.

 

[dunnyboy]

This is my daily driver. It's a satisfyingly precision instrument—and I love having a rounded blade handy. I run the blade around the bowl after every smoke to scrape off any lumps of tobacco or ash stuck to the sides and bottom. Then I screw a slightly dampened paper towel into the bowl to finish the job. I rarely use the pick but it works just fine.

 

[Rockyrepose]

This was an Etsy pickup quite a while back at a reasonable price. It was missing the inlay and I stuffed the wood I had lying around in the holes but as I use it I've been thinking about taking it to a rock hound to replace the wood inlay with jade. It does not have a round tamp but fits in most of my cobs. I did not research it extensively but just some quick googlefoo it would appear to be from the 60's or 70's, someone here might know more about the age. Markings are GBD stainless steel Japan. Less than $30 US. With the jade and some buff and polish to take down the scuffs I think it would be a handsome device.

 

[jpmcwjr]

It's a handsome piece anyway!
B/G- Is that a leather glove?

 

[Rockyrepose]

It's a handsome piece anyway!
B/G- Is that a leather glove?

It is HA, I had it out cleaning up the yard today before the next bout of snow tonight.