Finding tampers

[mso489]

My dad was one of those pipe smokers who owned only one pipe at a time, smoked most of the day, and smoked only Granger in the foil pouch. He tamped mostly with his fingers, or if he was in his suit, he might use the bottom half of a paper match. He didn't carry any kind of pipe tool.

When I smoke, a bowl or two a day, or sometimes less, I usually have a pipe nail and a small box of wooden matches in a metal matchbox case my wife gave me.

 

[Briar Tuck]

I use a golf tee with my meers and I bought a bunch of Czech tools and nail type tamper tools on eBay for cheap. Having years of experience with magically disappearing drum keys, I knew that it was wise to keep many tampers around, because they will surely magically disappear as well.

 

[Papamique]

Old tampers (and new ones) can be found, in no small number, on eBay. I have a collection of them.

 

[Searock Fan]

I never thought of using a spent rifle casing. That's a great idea. I know what my next tamper will be now!

Just make sure it's "spent"!

 

[telescopes]

I've used everything from broken twigs, nails, bolts, y sharpened pencils. Kitchen utensils - and even real dedicated tampers.

 

[didimauw]

I’ve had this one for 55yrs definitely an antique at this point.

View attachment 196591

Dude! I'll pay 50 dollars for it! That's a one of a kind!

 

[didimauw]

My dad was one of those pipe smokers who owned only one pipe at a time, smoked most of the day, and smoked only Granger in the foil pouch. He tamped mostly with his fingers, or if he was in his suit, he might use the bottom half of a paper match. He didn't carry any kind of pipe tool.

When I smoke, a bowl or two a day, or sometimes less, I usually have a pipe nail and a small box of wooden matches in a metal matchbox case my wife gave me.

I was going to comment how, I like the accessories part of all my Hobby's in general. That's why I like cool tampers. But now YOU just added "metal matchbox case" to MY list!

 

[Piping Abe]

One thing I always need a pipe tamper for, is the pick. What do you guys that use your finger empty your pipe with?

 

[Ray Popp]

Just make sure it's "spent"!

Yes, no bullet in the neck and a dimple in the primer. One might think it neat to put a bullet back into the neck, but for safety reasons, DON'T!

 

[Deano]

My dad used his finger. Cleaned his pipe with pipe ckeaners and bowl with his pocket knife. Grabows were cheap then.

 

[Pipeoff]

Most junk shop dealers have no knowledge what the item was used for unless silver or gold that has scrap value.

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

I have found several old Czech tools in antique stores, the old ones are quite a bit heavier than the new ones.

 

[Sobrbiker]

I never thought of using a spent rifle casing. That's a great idea. I know what my next tamper will be now!

I use a 44mag case, resized and I load a 300gr wide flat nose bullet into case (no powder, with a spent primer). Weighs just under an ounce, so it’s perfect for holding about a half inch above tobacco and dropping for a consistent tamp.

 

[Arthur Frayn]

While walking my dogs, I saw a shed antler from a young buck laying in the forest duff. Turns out that if you saw off about three inches off of it -from the tip, you get a nearly indestructible tamper with a hard point at one end and a flat, round tamping surface on the other end. You can stain and sand it if you like. Makes a nice rustic looking alternative to the ubiquitous golf tee or nail.

 

[AJL67]

 

[Smoke Wagon]

I find old pipe tampers in the bottom of my range bag.

 

[Zack Miller]

Whalebone Scrimshaw Tamper or could be an old Sealing Wax Stamper

 

[The Amish Tyrant]

You can find Rodgers of Sheffield pipe knives with a tamper and pick reasonably priced on eBay.

I live near a small golf course, so I may pick up a few dropped tees once the season opens.

However, my favorite tamper was both handmade and home grown in Minnesota by @aspiring_sage and received as a secret Santa gift. Functional, light, and no metal parts to scratch my other pocket dwellers, I like the branch tamper with an end pick very much.

 

[B.Fee]

One thing I always need a pipe tamper for, is the pick. What do you guys that use your finger empty your pipe with?

 

[edger]

A five lb box of 3” copper roofing nails. Lifetime supply.