Finger or Tamper?

[bearwolf56]

When I took up smoking a pipe, I was always laying my tamper down and not remembering where I put it. Because of that I got into the habit of just using my index finger instead. Now, 8 yrs. later I mostly use my finger to tamp down my pipe, although I have gotten better at finding my tamper and using it. Growing up i don't remember many pipe smokers using a tamper. Anyway, I was wondering how many of you use a tamper or your finger more often?

 

[sablebrush52]

Finger. Best tamper there is. I do have a nice collection of unused tampers that people have bought me because they find my "finger tamper" too uncouth.

 

[kcghost]

I usually use a pipe nail to tamp with. They are so cheap you can't lose them.

 

[MtnGeo]

I use a tamper or if I misplace it a flat head screw does the trick. Funny how the older you get it's seems things disappear!

 

[cigrmaster]

I always use a tamper and all of my pipe lighters have a tamper in it.

 

[Streeper541]

Yes, or whatever else I have laying around that'll do the trick.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

Yes, or whatever else I have laying around that'll do the trick.

Yep, this! Either - or a golf tee, shell casing, finger in a glove.

 

[hyperstar]

I use 3 in 1 tamper. Because a tamper can tamp the bowl down evenly.
Plus, when you start to light and the tobacco expands appreciably. You have to stop lighting, tamp it down and start lighting again. Then, keep pushing the top layer of char towards the center as a pile while you puffing, and it generally gets the tobacco burned down around evenly. Otherwise, tobacco would only burning down in the center.
It's easy and safe to do with tamper, not your finger.

 

[CoffeeAndBourbon]

Yep, this! Either - or a golf tee, shell casing, finger in a glove.

Even a stick. Just the other day, out on a lunt but no tamper. Also the cherry was near the top (just started out the walk with the dog. No turning back with a greyhound that loves walks, so a stick it was.

 

[Christos D. Tsatsaronis]

No finger, the bottom of my (Bic) lighter for the first tampings, when the tobacco is still high, then a tamper. I have many. I also make myself from pieces of wood I find during hiking, proccessed a little with the pocketknife and sandpaper.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Finger

 

[sardonicus87]

I have one of those Czech tool tampers and I always use that. I keep it on hand when smoking the pipe because I use the pick to break loose and knock out the dottle when I am done. I always know where it is, and I'd rather use that than to get ash and gunk on my finger, and I'd much rather use that for the initial char light tamping than my finger anyway (I often tamp my char light multiple times while it's still burning, just depends on how much the tobacco wants to expand while I am building that base and ember, might do as many as 3 char lights before I start smoking proper).

 

[bearwolf56]

I use a tamper or if I misplace it a flat head screw does the trick. Funny how the older you get it's seems things disappear!

That is so true, the older you get the more things disappear. This is even more frustrating when you live along and have no one to blame.

 

[warren]

Finger! I'm rarely without the correct diameter and they are very handy. Also good for eating, scratching, waving to others, there are so many uses for my tampers.

 

[spartacus]

I use both. Finger when I can't find my tamper and tamper when I can't find my finger. The finger is great for tamping but not so much for stirring.

 

[bearwolf56]

Finger! I'm rarely without the correct diameter and they are very handy. Also good for eating, scratching, waving to others, there are so many uses for my tampers.

Those are some very good points.

 

[CoffeeAndBourbon]

Those are some very good points.

Don't forget counting! They are great for that too!

 

[FLDRD]

When I took up smoking a pipe, I was always laying my tamper down and not remembering where I put it. Because of that I got into the habit of just using my index finger instead. Now, 8 yrs. later I mostly use my finger to tamp down my pipe, although I have gotten better at finding my tamper and using it. Growing up i don't remember many pipe smokers using a tamper. Anyway, I was wondering how many of you use a tamper or your finger more often?

Yes.

From the beginning it just seemed natural to use a finger. Different fingers for different sized bowls. Felt it was handy that they were built in.

But now I've a lighter with a flip-out tamper built in and use it lots, but still the finger too.
Add to that I'm always outside with "loaded" pockets that include a Czech tool or in garage or shop with items to use as well.

Also never stopped me from picking up an item from the ground and utilizing it....

 

[jpmcwjr]

Tamper when ember is at the top for sure. Usually tamper all the way down, unless it's cold, then pointer finger.

I am happy to not have callouses or dead nerves in my fingers!

 

[warren]

Good, thick callouses improve one's ability to tamp the ember and they are great for snuffing a match before discarding it. I'm left handed so even my guitar picking improves my tampers. I play right handed so, fret with the fingers on the left. It all comes together rather neatly for properly maintaining a smoldering bowl.