Fingernail Tamping

[toobfreak]

Brings new meaning to the phrase: She's a good pipe! :mrgreen:

 

[jpmcwjr]

Yes, digital manipulation of tobacco is second best.
Just focussed on the fingernail part. Seems my nails don't get that involved; it's the meat of the fingertip that does the work.

 

[wyfbane]

I most often smoke outdoors, walking a mastiff. IF I can get out the door, get the pipe light while he's taking his first piss, I am good to go. If not, it's a challenge trying to light my pipe as he is tromping through the neighborhood.
I don't even try to bring a tamper. I singe my finger like once a week. lol.
But in that rare time when I am in a place I am allowed to smoke, with time to smoke, with one of my favorite pipes, I like to use a tamper.

 

[tinsel]

I keep my nails trimmed very, very short. I don't think I could get my finger into the bowl at an angle that would be useful for tamping with my nail.
I do, however, perform the great vast majority of my tamping with my finger. I carry a pipe nail for scooping out the dottle and keep a Czhech tool on the table next to my easy chair for the same purpose, but rarely tamp with either of them.

 

[beehive]

Agreed that trying to use a tamper with a dog pulling you around is awful. I like to use my finger as I'm less likely to accidentally crush the tobacco down as my dog jerks the leash. If I'm sitting around sure a tampers great but anywhere outside it's begging to be lost. Never burned myself and I'm usually wearing my work clothes so chances are I'm covered in nastier things than a finger smudge of ash already.

 

[foggymountain]

I formerly used the tip of my right index finger. It got a little burned and hardened and worked fine. Then, around 1957, I found out about tampers. Finger has recovered.

 

[jpmcwjr]

I've seen videos of guys using a tamper to load the pipe! Heavens!! Maybe if you're loading it for your sovereign or something and he or she insists on it....

 

[aimlesswanderer]

@jpmcwjr I've used a tamper when loading many times, particularly with pipes like my Mizzou which have too slim a chamber to get your finger in properly. Using a tamper helps make sure the bowl is full, whereas a codger scoop or loading from the palm can lead to too large an air pocket at the bottom of the bowl.

 

[ukbob]

Only ever tried finger tamping once burnt my finger never again.

 

[warren]

I use the pads of my fingers. My nails, if long enough, wouldn't have the surface area for a decent tamping. I doesn't take long to callus the pads so the heat isn't noticed. Callus as a verb? Maybe.

 

[jpmcwjr]

It's o.k. to verb nouns.... Though it may already be one.

 

[didimauw]

I use my finger when I don't have a tamper. No problems.

 

[pipesticks]

I use my finger to tamp all the time but I use a pipe nail for the serious work. And I use the round type that lets me scrape the sides. Those square pipe nail tampers are useless. I mean, yeah, maybe handy in the horse/horseshoe/buggy days, but square peg in a round hole? DUH! I'd rather use my round finger....

 

[skraps]

I do whatever is convenient at the time. Usually if out and about, it's a finger tamp. Sitting at my desk, I might grab a tamper. There is no right or wrong. Whatever works best for you.