I dump ash most every smoke. It improves the burn and the taste. I consider it one of the basics of pipe smoking, which I have mastered.
You do seem to be in the minority here on this subject.
Now, possibly, I am just not in tune with British humor.
If you packed properly, are smoking properly, and the burn and the taste is is fine. how can it possibly be one of of the basics of pipe smoking to dump ash mid bowl ?
Is it not perfectly clear that packing and a good smoking technique are the basics of pipe smoking ?
This is what I mean when I say it's time for you guys to learn.
But it seems you won't and are happy with getting it wrong.
Dumping ash mid bowl is a sure no sign of someone who has not learnt to smoke a pipe.
Fair enough, I'm not really criticising anyone, it just simply means you've got a way to go.
We all have to go through the process. For me it was quite easy. For the majority it seems to be very hard.
I could count on the fingers of one hand the people I know on this forum who are accomplished smokers. There could well be more, but they don't talk about it.