Finger or Tamper?

[Honkytonk Man]

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.

 

[boston]

I like my fingers, and use a tamper.

 

[CallMeSangy]

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.

 

[B.Fee]

I give you the finger.

 

[Epip Oc'Cabot]

I have always used my finger. I was given a “Chez Tool” back in the late 70s and didn’t even realize that one of the “tools” on it was meant to be a tamper for a few years. It just sat in a drawer for a lot of years until I lost it.

 

[Spa32]

I only use a tamper.

 

[MidnightPuff]

Czech tool, finger, anything within arms reach that looks like It can be used as a tamper. Makes no difference to me.

 

[captpat]

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.

 

[Pipeoff]

Only lately have I used my little finger but now I need to find the old lava soap!

 

[Honkytonk Man]

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.

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.

 

[Kal]

Finger. Less to carry
I'm old and lazy

 

[Bobby Bailey]

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.

 

[AJL67]

Finger for loading the bowl tamper for smoking…

 

[Chasing Embers]

Finger. Less to carry
I'm old and lazy

Tampers can over compress the tobacco as well. With a finger you can feel the resistance better and not mess up the draw.

 

[PurePipes]

Tamper at home, finger in the car

 

[anotherbob]

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).

 

[Sitdownicantsee]

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?

I get aggravated with having to keep up with everything, finger works well

 

[Sitdownicantsee]

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!

I always tell my son callouses are earned! ?