Mostly tamper, but have used my finger on occasion. If I've misplaced my tamper.
But growing up, I never saw anybody using a tamper, always their finger.
But growing up, I never saw anybody using a tamper, always their finger.
Finger or Tamper?
- Thread starter bearwolf56
- Start date
I use my fingers 95% of the time, and a tamper the other 5%. I find no need in tamping with a tool, since a little patience will keep one from burning themselves. I'll only use a tamp for the charring light when I can't be bothered waiting, say, twenty seconds of so for the ember to cool.
Czech tool, finger, anything within arms reach that looks like It can be used as a tamper. Makes no difference to me.
I use anything that will serve the purpose, including my finger on occasion. I've used the humble Czech tool, nails of various sizes and descriptions, a stick, an expended shell casing (NATO 7.62 is a nice size), male end of a socket extension, screwdrivers, pencils of various descriptions, golf tees (wood only), various 8Deco tampers, tampers built into my pipe lighter, A. G. Russell pipe knife, Laguiole pipe knife, Savinelli Pipe Knife that I bought in 1980, end of my Buck stockman jackknife, etc., the possibilities are nearly endless.
Yeah, I've whittled a stick for the job. I was out with my boy chuckin' wood, lost my tamper, so used a stick that I whittled. Still got it too.
I use a small stick or some would say twig. They are everywhere I go, always handy and free. Pick one up, use it and throw away.
Finger for loading the bowl tamper for smoking…
Used finger for many years. But I find the tamper tends to do a better job. I used to lose tampers all the time so back to the finger. But found that buying a fancier 8deco tamper helped because I can easily feel if it's in my pocket without even having to stick my hand in (has enough weight I can tell it's there).
